Control device setting order condition for ordering a plurality of cartridges at the same time

ABSTRACT

A controller sets an order condition requiring that one of a latest index value and a current timing reach corresponding one of a reference index value and a reference timing. The order condition is set so that a first cartridge is delivered to a predetermined destination at a first timing. The first cartridge is expected to be out of a printing agent while a first tank is expected to still accommodate the printing agent at the first timing. The controller transmits, in response to determining that a second cartridge is expected to be out of a printing agent while a second tank is expected to still accommodate the printing agent at the first timing, an order command instructing to order the first cartridge and the second cartridge to a relevant device after the order condition is satisfied.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No.2018-023471 filed Feb. 13, 2018. The entire content of the priorityapplication is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a control device and a program forordering cartridges accommodating a printing agent.

BACKGROUND

Some conventional printers known in the art are capable of placingorders for cartridges that accommodate a developing agent. The printeruses the residual quantity of the developing agent in the cartridge toestimate the day on which printing using the current cartridge willbecome impossible and sets a signal transmission date for transmittingan order request signal on the basis of the estimated day on whichprinting will become impossible. The printer sends an order requestsignal when the current date matches the signal transmission date.

There are image recording apparatuses known in the art that are providedwith a color printing function. This type of image recording apparatusexecutes a printing operation using a plurality of cartridges, each ofwhich accommodates a printing agent of a different color. For example,the cartridges respectively accommodate the printing agent in the colorscyan, magenta, yellow, black, and the like.

SUMMARY

When using the conventional ordering method to order cartridges for animage recording apparatus possessing a plurality of cartridges or toorder cartridges for a plurality of image recording apparatuses, eachcartridge is managed individually. This leads to high costs for shippingthe cartridges. On the other hand, if a plurality of cartridges isordered at the same time, it is likely that the new cartridges willreach the user while some of the mounted cartridges still contain theprinting agent. If the new cartridges are delivered to the user whilesome of the mounted cartridges have the residual printing agent, theuser might replace the cartridges that still contain the printing agentwith the new cartridges, resulting in a waste of the printing agent.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure toprovide a technique for ordering a plurality of cartridges at the sametime without wasting a printing agent.

In order to attain the above and other objects, the present disclosureprovides a control device including a controller. The controller isconfigured to perform: (a) acquiring a first index value from a firstrecording device at a first acquisition timing, the first recordingdevice including: a first mounting portion in which a first cartridgeaccommodating a printing agent is mounted; a first tank configured toaccommodate the printing agent supplied from the first cartridge; and afirst recording portion configured to record an image on a sheet withthe printing agent supplied from the first tank, the first index valuebeing representative of a residual quantity of the printing agentremaining in the first cartridge and the first tank at the firstacquisition timing; (b) storing the first index value in associationwith first acquisition timing information about the first acquisitiontiming in a memory; (c) acquiring a second index value from a secondrecording device at a second acquisition timing, the second recordingdevice including: a second mounting portion in which a second cartridgeaccommodating a printing agent is mounted; a second tank configured toaccommodate the printing agent supplied from the second cartridge; and asecond recording portion configured to record an image on a sheet withthe printing agent supplied from the second tank, the second index valuebeing representative of a residual quantity of the printing agentremaining in the second cartridge and the second tank at the secondacquisition timing; (d) storing the second index value in associationwith second acquisition timing information about the second acquisitiontiming in the memory; (e) setting, after performing the (a) acquiringand the (b) storing a plurality of number of times and storing aplurality of first index values in the memory in association with aplurality of sets of first acquisition timing information, an ordercondition using the plurality of sets of first acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of first index values stored in thememory, the plurality of first index values including a latest firstindex value acquired at a latest first acquisition timing, the ordercondition requiring that one of the latest first index value and acurrent timing reach corresponding one of a reference index value and areference timing, the order condition being set so that a thirdcartridge ordered for replacement with the first cartridge is deliveredto a predetermined destination at a first timing by assuming that a timeinterval between the reference timing and the first timing is a firstperiod of time, the first timing being a timing at which the firstcartridge is expected to be out of the printing agent while the firsttank is expected to still accommodate the printing agent, the firstperiod of time being an expected period of time from when the thirdcartridge is ordered until the third cartridge is delivered to thepredetermined destination; (f) determining, after performing the (c)acquiring and the (d) storing a plurality of number of times and storinga plurality of second index values in the memory in association with aplurality of sets of second acquisition timing information, whether thesecond recording device is expected to be a prescribed state at thefirst timing using the plurality of sets of second acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of second index values stored in thememory, the prescribed state indicating that the second cartridge is outof the printing agent while the second tank still accommodates theprinting agent; and (g) transmitting, in response to determining thatthe second recording device is expected to be the prescribed state atthe first timing, an order command to a relevant device after the ordercondition is satisfied, the order command instructing to order the thirdcartridge and a fourth cartridge, the fourth cartridge being ordered forreplacement with the second cartridge and being delivered to thepredetermined destination.

According to another aspect, the present disclosure provides anon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a set of programinstructions. The set of program instructions is installed on andexecuted by a computer. The set of program instructions includes: (a)acquiring a first index value from a first recording device at a firstacquisition timing, the first recording device including: a firstmounting portion in which a first cartridge accommodating a printingagent is mounted; a first tank configured to accommodate the printingagent supplied from the first cartridge; and a first recording portionconfigured to record an image on a sheet with the printing agentsupplied from the first tank, the first index value being representativeof a residual quantity of the printing agent remaining in the firstcartridge and the first tank at the first acquisition timing; (b)storing the first index value in association with first acquisitiontiming information about the first acquisition timing in a memory; (c)acquiring a second index value from a second recording device at asecond acquisition timing, the second recording device including: asecond mounting portion in which a second cartridge accommodating aprinting agent is mounted; a second tank configured to accommodate theprinting agent supplied from the second cartridge; and a secondrecording portion configured to record an image on a sheet with theprinting agent supplied from the second tank, the second index valuebeing representative of a residual quantity of the printing agentremaining in the second cartridge and the second tank at the secondacquisition timing; (d) storing the second index value in associationwith second acquisition timing information about the second acquisitiontiming in the memory; (e) setting, after performing the (a) acquiringand the (b) storing a plurality of number of times and storing aplurality of first index values in the memory in association with aplurality of sets of first acquisition timing information, an ordercondition using the plurality of sets of first acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of first index values stored in thememory, the plurality of first index values including a latest firstindex value acquired at a latest first acquisition timing, the ordercondition requiring that one of the latest first index value and acurrent timing reach corresponding one of a reference index value and areference timing, the order condition being set so that a thirdcartridge ordered for replacement with the first cartridge is deliveredto a predetermined destination at a first timing by assuming that a timeinterval between the reference timing and the first timing is a firstperiod of time, the first timing being a timing at which the firstcartridge is expected to be out of the printing agent while the firsttank is expected to still accommodate the printing agent, the firstperiod of time being an expected period of time from when the thirdcartridge is ordered until the third cartridge is delivered to thepredetermined destination; (f) determining, after performing the (c)acquiring and the (d) storing a plurality of number of times and storinga plurality of second index values in the memory in association with aplurality of sets of second acquisition timing information, whether thesecond recording device is expected to be a prescribed state at thefirst timing using the plurality of sets of second acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of second index values stored in thememory, the prescribed state indicating that the second cartridge is outof the printing agent while the second tank still accommodates theprinting agent; and (g) transmitting, in response to determining thatthe second recording device is expected to be the prescribed state atthe first timing, an order command to a relevant device after the ordercondition is satisfied, the order command instructing to order the thirdcartridge and a fourth cartridge, the fourth cartridge being ordered forreplacement with the second cartridge and being delivered to thepredetermined destination.

According to still another aspect, the present disclosure provides amethod executed by a computer. The method includes: (a) acquiring afirst index value from a first recording device at a first acquisitiontiming, the first recording device including: a first mounting portionin which a first cartridge accommodating a printing agent is mounted; afirst tank configured to accommodate the printing agent supplied fromthe first cartridge; and a first recording portion configured to recordan image on a sheet with the printing agent supplied from the firsttank, the first index value being representative of a residual quantityof the printing agent remaining in the first cartridge and the firsttank at the first acquisition timing; (b) storing the first index valuein association with first acquisition timing information about the firstacquisition timing in a memory; (c) acquiring a second index value froma second recording device at a second acquisition timing, the secondrecording device including: a second mounting portion in which a secondcartridge accommodating a printing agent is mounted; a second tankconfigured to accommodate the printing agent supplied from the secondcartridge; and a second recording portion configured to record an imageon a sheet with the printing agent supplied from the second tank, thesecond index value being representative of a residual quantity of theprinting agent remaining in the second cartridge and the second tank atthe second acquisition timing; (d) storing the second index value inassociation with second acquisition timing information about the secondacquisition timing in the memory; (e) setting, after performing the (a)acquiring and the (b) storing a plurality of number of times and storinga plurality of first index values in the memory in association with aplurality of sets of first acquisition timing information, an ordercondition using the plurality of sets of first acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of first index values stored in thememory, the plurality of first index values including a latest firstindex value acquired at a latest first acquisition timing, the ordercondition requiring that one of the latest first index value and acurrent timing reach corresponding one of a reference index value and areference timing, the order condition being set so that a thirdcartridge ordered for replacement with the first cartridge is deliveredto a predetermined destination at a first timing by assuming that a timeinterval between the reference timing and the first timing is a firstperiod of time, the first timing being a timing at which the firstcartridge is expected to be out of the printing agent while the firsttank is expected to still accommodate the printing agent, the firstperiod of time being an expected period of time from when the thirdcartridge is ordered until the third cartridge is delivered to thepredetermined destination; (f) determining, after performing the (c)acquiring and the (d) storing a plurality of number of times and storinga plurality of second index values in the memory in association with aplurality of sets of second acquisition timing information, whether thesecond recording device is expected to be a prescribed state at thefirst timing using the plurality of sets of second acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of second index values stored in thememory, the prescribed state indicating that the second cartridge is outof the printing agent while the second tank still accommodates theprinting agent; and (g) transmitting, in response to determining thatthe second recording device is expected to be the prescribed state atthe first timing, an order command to a relevant device after the ordercondition is satisfied, the order command instructing to order the thirdcartridge and a fourth cartridge, the fourth cartridge being ordered forreplacement with the second cartridge and being delivered to thepredetermined destination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The particular features and advantages of the disclosure as well asother objects will become apparent from the following description takenin connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an ordering system provided witha plurality of printers and an information collection server accordingto embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a printer according to the embodiments,and illustrating a closed position of a cover;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the printer according to theembodiments, and illustrating an open position of the cover;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically illustrating aninternal configuration of the printer according to the embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a mounting caseof the printer according to the embodiments;

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a cartridge as viewed from a rear sideof the cartridge in the printer according to the embodiments;

FIG. 5B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge in theprinter according to the embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the mounting case in whichthe cartridge is mounted in the printer according to the embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating steps in a printing process executedby a controller of the printer according to the embodiments;

FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating steps in a first updating processexecuted by the controller of the printer according to the embodiments,the first updating process being executed under a condition where acartridge is mounted in the mounting case of the printer while a valueof a S_Empty Flag is set to “ON”;

FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating steps in a second updating processexecuted by the controller of the printer according to the embodiments,the second updating process being executed under a condition whereliquid level signals acquired in S15 and S17 of FIG. 7 are both “L”;

FIG. 8C is a flowchart illustrating steps in a third updating processexecuted by the controller of the printer according to the embodimentsthe third updating process being executed under a condition where theliquid level signal acquired in S15 of FIG. 7 is “L” but the liquidlevel signal acquired in S17 of FIG. 7 is “H”;

FIG. 8D is a flowchart illustrating steps in a fourth updating processexecuted by the controller of the printer according to the embodiments,the fourth updating process being executed under a condition where theliquid level signals acquired in S15 and S17 of FIG. 7 are both “H”;

FIG. 9A is a flowchart illustrating a part of steps in a managementinformation transmission process executed by the controller of theprinter according to the embodiment;

FIG. 9B is a flowchart illustrating a remaining part of steps in themanagement information transmission process executed by the controllerof the printer according to the embodiments;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an ordering process executed by acontroller of the information collection server according to theembodiments;

FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating an order date/time setting processexecuted by the controller of the information collection serveraccording to the embodiments;

FIG. 11B is a flowchart illustrating a plural order setting processexecuted by the controller of the information collection serveraccording to the embodiments;

FIG. 12 illustrates a graph representing a linear function, an estimatedarrival date/time, and an order date/time in a first embodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates a graph representing linear functions and anestimated arrival date/time and explaining the plural order settingprocess in the first embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a residualquantity management list stored in a memory of the informationcollection server according to the embodiments;

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a cartridgemanagement list stored in the memory of the information collectionserver according to the embodiments;

FIG. 16A is a flowchart illustrating an order date/time modificationprocess executed by the controller of the information collection serveraccording to a second embodiment;

FIG. 16B is a flowchart illustrating an order date/time re-modificationprocess executed by the controller of the information collection serveraccording to the second embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a graph representing linear functions, estimated arrivaldates/times before and after modification, and order dates/times beforeand after modification and explaining the order date/time modificationprocess in the second embodiment, in which a first cartridge and asecond cartridge are ordered at the same time;

FIG. 18 is a graph representing linear functions and an estimatedarrival date/time after modification and explaining the order date/timemodification process in the second embodiment, in which a firstcartridge and a second cartridge are not ordered at the same time;

FIG. 19 is a graph representing linear functions and order dates/timesbefore and after re-modification and explaining the order date/timere-modification process in the second embodiment;

FIG. 20A illustrates a graph representing a linear function, anestimated arrival date/time, and an order date/time in a firstmodification;

FIG. 20B illustrates a graph representing a linear function, anestimated arrival date/time, and an order date/time in a secondmodification;

FIG. 21A is a flowchart illustrating an order condition setting processexecuted by a controller of an information collection server accordingto a third modification; and

FIG. 21B illustrates a graph representing a linear function and an orderresidual percentage in the third modification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described whilereferring to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodimentsdescribed below are merely examples of the disclosure and may bemodified in many ways without departing from the spirit of thedisclosure, the scope of which is defined by the attached claims.Further, the order in which each of the processes described below areexecuted may be modified as desired without departing from the spirit ofthe disclosure.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 illustrates an ordering system 5. The ordering system 5 isprovided with a plurality of printers 10, and an information collectionserver 40 that collects information from the plurality of printers 10.The printers 10 are all connected to a communication circuit 61. Thecommunication circuit 61 may be a wired LAN, wireless LAN, a WAN, or acombination of these. Note that the meaning of “a printer 10 connectedto the communication circuit 61” may include a printer 10 that isconnected via a USB cable or printer cable to a personal computer thatis connected to the communication circuit 61.

The communication circuit 61 has a networking device (not illustrated),such as a router, a hub, or the like. The networking device managescommunications on the communication circuit 61 using MAC addresses ofthe printers 10 or IP addresses assigned to the printers 10 (private IPaddresses). The networking device manages communications on thecommunication circuit 61 using a communication protocol, such as theTransmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), for example.

The networking device of the communication circuit 61 is also connectedto a communication circuit 62 that is connected to the informationcollection server 40. In other words, the networking device is connectedto the information collection server 40 through the communicationcircuit 62.

The communication circuit 62 is an internet, for example. Theinformation collection server 40 communicates with the networking deviceusing a communication protocol, such as the Internet Protocol. Hence,the information collection server 40 can communicate with the printers10 through the communication circuit 62, networking device, andcommunication circuit 61. The information collection server 40communicates with each printer 10 and acquires management informationfrom the same. This process will be described later in greater detail.

A shipping server 50 is also connected to the communication circuit 62.The information collection server 40 communicates with the shippingserver 50 through the communication circuit 62 and transmits ordercommands to the same. This process will be described later in greaterdetail. The information collection server 40 is an example of thecontrol device and the computer of the present disclosure. The printer10 is an example of the printing apparatus of the present disclosure.

<Overview of the Printer 10>

The printer 10 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B is an inkjet printer thatrecords images on sheets by ejecting ink droplets. The printer 10 may bea multifunction peripheral possessing various functions, such as afacsimile function, a scan function, and a copy function, and the like.

In the following description, front, rear, left, and right directionsrelated to the printer 10 will be referred to as assuming that theprinter 10 is disposed on a horizontal plane so as to be operable, asillustrated in FIG. 2A. Note that this posture of the printer 10illustrated in FIG. 2A will be referred to as an “operable posture”.Specifically, an up-down direction 7 of the printer 10 is defined on thebasis of the operable posture of the printer 10. A front-rear direction8 is defined such that a surface of the printer 10 in which an opening13 is formed constitutes a front surface. A left-right direction 9 isdefined on the basis of an assumption that the printer 10 in theoperable posture is viewed from its front surface. In other words, inthe operable posture of the printer 10, the up-down direction 7corresponds to a vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 andleft-right direction 9 correspond to horizontal directions. Thefront-rear direction 8 and left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to eachother.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the printer 10 is configured with abox-like housing 14. The opening 13 is formed in a front surface 14A ofthe housing 14 and is recessed inward into the housing 14. A feed tray15 is disposed inside the housing 14 in the bottom of the opening 13.The feed tray 15 supports a plurality of sheets in a stacked state. Adischarge tray 16 is provided above the feed tray 15. The discharge tray16 supports sheets that have undergone image recording.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a feed roller 23, a pair of conveying rollers25, a recording head 21, and a pair of discharge rollers 27 are disposedinside the housing 14. The printer 10 also includes ink tanks 160 thatsupply ink to the recording head 21 through tubes 19. The printer 10drives the feed roller 23 and conveying rollers 25 to convey sheets fromthe feed tray 15 to a position over a platen 26 that opposes therecording head 21. Next, the printer 10 controls the recording head 21to eject ink through nozzles 29. The ink impacts the sheet supported onthe platen 26 to record images on the sheet. Subsequently, the printer10 drives the discharge rollers 27 to discharge the recorded sheet ontothe discharge tray 16. The ink is an example of the printing agent ofthe present disclosure. The plurality of nozzles 29 corresponding toeach ink tank 60 is an example of the recording portion of the presentdisclosure.

More specifically, the recording head 21 is supported in a carriage 20.The carriage 20 reciprocates along a main scanning direction (parallelto the left-right direction 9) that intersects the direction that theconveying rollers 25 convey the sheets. A motor (not illustrated)transmits a drive force to the carriage 20 for moving the carriage 20 inthe main scanning direction (a direction perpendicular to the surface ofthe drawing in FIG. 3). While the conveying rollers 25 has haltedconveyance of the sheet, the printer 10 moves the carriage 20 in themain scanning direction and controls the recording head 21 to eject inkthrough the nozzles 29, thereby recording an image in a regionconstituting the portion of the sheet opposing the recording head 21(hereinafter also referred to as “one pass”). Next, the printer 10controls the conveying rollers 25 to convey the sheet so that the nextregion to be recorded opposes the recording head 21. By repeatedly andalternatingly performing these processes of recording and conveying, theprinter 10 records an image on one sheet.

<Display 28>

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the housing 14 also has a display 28and an operating panel 22 disposed on the front surface 14A of thehousing 14. However, a touchscreen configured of touch sensors arrangedover a display panel, or a display panel and push buttons along with orin place of the display 28 may be provided on the front surface 14A ofthe housing 14 in place of the display 28 and operating panel 22. Theoperating panel 22 receives input from the user.

<Cover 87>

As illustrated in FIG. 2B, an opening 85 is formed in the front surface14A of the housing 14 at the right end thereof. The housing 14 is alsoprovided with a cover 87. The cover 87 is supported on the housing 14near the bottom edge of the same and can pivot about a pivot axisextending in the left-right direction 9. The cover 87 is pivotablebetween a closed position (the position illustrated in FIG. 2A) forcovering the opening 95, and an open position (the position illustratedin FIG. 2B) for exposing the opening 85. An accommodating space 86 isformed in the housing 14, expanding into the housing 14 from the opening85. A mounting case 150 is positioned in the accommodating space 86.Cartridges 200 are detachably mounted in the mounting case 150.

<Mounting Case 150>

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the mounting case 150 is provided withcontacts 152, rods 153, mounting sensors 32, liquid level sensors 33,and a locking pin 156. The mounting case 150 can accommodate four of thecartridges 200 for the corresponding colors black, cyan, magenta, andyellow. In other words, the mounting case 150 is provided with four eachof the contacts 152, rods 153, mounting sensors 32, and liquid levelsensors 33 to correspond to the four cartridges 200. Note that thenumber of cartridges 200 that can be accommodated in the mounting case150 is not limited to four, but may be one, or five or more.

The mounting case 150 has a box shape with an interior space foraccommodating the cartridges 200. The interior space of the mountingcase 150 is defined by a top wall enclosing the top side of the interiorspace, a bottom wall enclosing the bottom side of the interior space, arear wall enclosing the rear side of the interior space, and a pair ofside walls enclosing the left and right sides of the interior space. Theopening 85 is formed in the front side of the mounting case 150 opposingthe rear wall. In other words, when the cover 87 is placed in the openposition, the opening 85 exposes the interior space of the mounting case150 to the outside of the printer 10.

The cartridges 200 are mounted in the mounting case 150 and removed fromthe mounting case 150 through the opening 85 formed in the housing 14.More specifically, the cartridges 200 pass through the opening 85rearward when mounted in the mounting case 150 and pass through theopening 85 forward when removed from the mounting case 150. Thecartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 is an example of thefirst cartridge and the second cartridge of the present disclosure.

<Contacts 152>

The contacts 152 are disposed on the top wall of the mounting case 150.The contacts 152 protrude downward from the top wall into the interiorspace of the mounting case 150. The contacts 152 are disposed inpositions for contacting electrodes 248 (described later) of thecorresponding cartridges 200 when the cartridges 200 are in theirmounted states in the mounting case 150. The contacts 152 areelectrically conductive and capable of elastically deforming in theup-down direction 7. The contacts 152 are electrically connected to acontroller 130 described later.

<Rods 153>

The rods 153 protrude forward from the rear wall of the mounting case150. The rods 153 are disposed in positions along the rear wall of themounting case 150 above corresponding joints 180 (described later). As acartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, the corresponding rod153 is inserted into a corresponding air valve chamber 214 (describedlater) through a corresponding air communication port 221 (describedlater) of the cartridge 200. When the rod 153 advances into the airvalve chamber 214, the air valve chamber 214 becomes able to communicatewith the atmosphere.

<Mounting Sensors 32>

The mounting sensors 32 are disposed on the top wall of the mountingcase 150 for detecting whether corresponding cartridges 200 are mountedin the mounting case 150. Each mounting sensor 32 is provided with alight-emitting part and a light-receiving part that are separated fromeach other in the left-right direction 9. When a cartridge 200 ismounted in the mounting case 150, a light-blocking rib 245 (describedlater) on the cartridge 200 is positioned between the light-emittingpart and light-receiving part of the corresponding mounting sensor 32.In other words, the light-emitting part and light-receiving part of themounting sensor 32 are positioned in a state opposing each other onopposite sides of the light-blocking rib 245 provided on the cartridge200 mounted in the mounting case 150.

The mounting sensor 32 outputs a different signal (hereinafter called a“mounting signal”) depending on whether the light emitted from thelight-emitting part in the left-right direction 9 is received by thelight-receiving part. The mounting sensor 32 outputs a low level signalto the controller 130 when the intensity of light received by thelight-receiving part is less than a threshold intensity, for example.The mounting sensor 32 outputs a high level signal having a greatersignal intensity than the low level signal to the controller 130 whenthe intensity of light received by the light-receiving part is greaterthan or equal to the threshold intensity.

<Liquid Level Sensors 33>

Each of the liquid level sensors 33 is provided for detecting whether adetectable part 194 of a corresponding actuator 190 described later isat a detection position. The liquid level sensor 33 is provided with alight-emitting part and a light-receiving part that are separated fromeach other in the left-right direction 9. In other words, when thedetectable part 194 is in the detection position, the detectable part194 is disposed between the light-emitting part and light-receiving partof the corresponding liquid level sensor 33. On the other hand, when thedetectable part 194 is not in the detection position, the detectablepart 194 is not interposed between the light-emitting part andlight-receiving part of the liquid level sensor 33. The liquid levelsensor 33 outputs a different signal (hereinafter called a “liquid levelsignal”) depending on whether the light-receiving part has receivedlight outputted from the light-emitting part. For example, the liquidlevel sensor 33 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 whenthe intensity of light received by the light-receiving part is less thana threshold intensity and outputs a high level signal having a greatersignal intensity than the low level signal to the controller 130 whenthe intensity of light received by the light-receiving part is greaterthan or equal to the threshold intensity.

<Locking Pin 156>

The locking pin 156 is a rod-shaped member that extends in theleft-right direction 9 through the upper portion of the interior spacein the mounting case 150 and near the opening 85. The ends of thelocking pin 156 in the left-right direction 9 are fixed in thecorresponding side walls of the mounting case 150. The locking pin 156extends in the left-right direction 9 through the four spaces foraccommodating the four cartridges 200. When the cartridges 200 aremounted in the mounting case 150, the locking pin 156 functions toretain the cartridges 200 in their mounted positions illustrated in FIG.6. The cartridges 200 are fixed to the locking pin 156 when in theirmounted states in the mounting case 150.

<Ink Tanks 160>

The printer 10 is provided with four ink tanks 160 corresponding to thefour cartridges 200. Specifically, the printer 10 is provided with anink tank 160 that accommodates magenta ink to correspond with thecartridge 200 that accommodates magenta ink, an ink tank 160 thataccommodates cyan ink to correspond to the cartridge 200 thataccommodates cyan ink, an ink tank 160 that accommodates yellow ink tocorrespond to the cartridge 200 that accommodates yellow ink, and an inktank 160 that accommodates black ink to correspond to the cartridge 200that accommodates black ink. Since the four ink tanks 160 share the samegeneral structures, only one of the ink tanks 160 is described below.The ink tank 160 is an example of the first tank and the second tank ofthe present disclosure.

The ink tanks 160 are positioned rearward of the rear wall constitutingthe mounting case 150. As illustrated in FIG. 4, each ink tank 160 isconfigured of a top wall 161, a front wall 162, a bottom wall 163, arear wall 164, and a pair of side walls (not illustrated). Note that thefront wall 162 is configured of a plurality of walls offset from eachother in the front-rear direction 8. A liquid chamber 171 is formedinside each ink tank 160. The liquid chamber 171 is an example of thefirst tank chamber and the second tank chamber of the presentdisclosure.

Of the walls constituting the ink tank 160, at least the wallconfronting the liquid level sensor 33 is translucent. Accordingly,light outputted by the liquid level sensor 33 can pass through the wallconfronting the liquid level sensor 33. At least part of the rear wall164 may be a film that is affixed to the rear edges of the top wall 161,bottom wall 163, and side walls. The side walls of the ink tank 160 maybe shared with the side walls of the mounting case 150 or may beprovided independently of the mounting case 150. Further, the ink tanks160 are separated from each other by partitions (not illustrated)disposed between ink tanks 160 neighboring each other in the left-rightdirection 9.

The liquid chamber 171 is in communication with an ink channel (notillustrated) through an outlet 174. The bottom end of the outlet 174 isdefined in the bottom wall 163 that defines the bottom of the liquidchamber 171. The outlet 174 is positioned lower than a correspondingjoint 180 (and specifically, the bottom end of a through-hole 184;described later). The ink channel that communicates with the outlet 174is also in communication with the corresponding tube 19. With thisconfiguration, the liquid chamber 171 communicates with the recordinghead 21 via the ink channel leading from the outlet 174, and the tube19. Hence, ink accommodated in the liquid chamber 171 is supplied to therecording head 21 through the ink channel leading from the outlet 174,and the tube 19. One end of the ink channel and tube 19 thatcommunicates with the outlet 174 (the end at the outlet 174) is incommunication with the liquid chamber 171, while another end 89 (seeFIG. 3) is in communication with the recording head 21.

The liquid chamber 171 is in communication with the atmosphere via anair communication chamber 175. More specifically, the air communicationchamber 175 is in communication with the liquid chamber 171 via athrough-hole 176 that penetrates the front wall 162. The aircommunication chamber 175 is also in communication with the exterior ofthe printer 10 through an air communication port 177 and a tube (notillustrated) connected to the air communication port 177. That is, oneend of the air communication chamber 175 (the end at the through-hole176) is in communication with the liquid chamber 171, while the otherend (the end at the air communication port 177) is in communication withthe exterior of the printer 10. Thus, the air communication chamber 175communicates with the atmosphere through the air communication port 177and the tube.

<Joints 180>

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the mounting case 150 is provided with joints180 to correspond to the four cartridges 200. Each joint 180 is providedwith a needle 181, and a guide 182. The needle 181 is a tube with achannel formed in the interior thereof. The needle 181 protrudes forwardfrom the front wall 162 defining the liquid chamber 171. An opening 183is formed in the front end of the needle 181. The interior space of theneedle 181 is in communication with the liquid chamber 171 via athrough-hole 184 that penetrates the front wall 162. One end of theneedle 181 (the end with the opening 183) communicates with the outsideof the ink tank 160, and the other end (the end adjacent to thethrough-hole 184) communicates with the liquid chamber 171. The guide182 is a cylindrically shaped member arranged around the needle 181. Theguide 182 protrudes forward from the front wall 162 and is open on thefront end.

A valve 185 and a coil spring 186 are positioned in the interior spaceof the needle 181. The valve 185 can move in the front-rear direction 8within the interior space of the needle 181 between a closed positionand an open position. The valve 185 closes the opening 183 when in theclosed position and opens the opening 183 when in the open position. Thecoil spring 186 urges the valve 185 forward, i.e., in a direction formoving the valve 185 from its open position to its closed position.

<Actuator 190>

As illustrated in FIG. 4, an actuator 190 is disposed in each liquidchamber 171. Support member 195 disposed in the liquid chamber 171supports the actuator 190 so that the actuator 190 can pivot indirections indicated by the arrows 198 and 199. The actuator 190 canpivot between the position indicated by solid lines in FIG. 4 and theposition indicated by dashed lines. A stopper (not illustrated), such asthe inner wall of the liquid chamber 171, restricts the actuator 190from pivoting farther in the direction indicated by the arrow 198 fromthe position indicated by solid lines. The actuator 190 is provided witha float 191, shafts 192, an arm 193, and a detectable part 194.

The float 191 is formed of a material having a smaller specific gravitythan that of the ink accommodated in the liquid chamber 171. The shafts192 protrude outward in the left-right direction 9 from the rightsurface and left surface of the float 191. The shafts 192 are insertedinto holes (not illustrated) formed in the support member 195. Throughthis configuration, the actuator 190 is supported by the support member195 so as to be pivotable about the shafts 192. The arm 193 extendssubstantially upward from the float 191. The detectable part 194 ispositioned on the distal end of the arm 193. Hence, the arm 193 ispositioned between the detectable part 194 and float 191. The detectablepart 194 is a plate-like member expanding in the up-down direction 7 andfront-rear direction 8. The detectable part 194 is formed of a materialor in a color that blocks light outputted from the light-emitting partof the liquid level sensor 33.

When the level of ink in the liquid chamber 171 is at a referenceposition P or higher, the buoyancy exerted on the float 191 causes theactuator 190 to pivot in the direction of the arrow 198 while thestopper maintains the actuator 190 in a detection position indicated bythe solid lines illustrated in FIG. 4. However, when the level of ink islower than the reference position P, the actuator 190 pivots in thedirection indicated by the arrow 199 as the ink level drops.Consequently, the detectable part 194 of the actuator 190 graduallymoves out of the detection position. Since the detectable part 194 ispart of the actuator 190, the position of the detectable part 194 isdependent on the quantity of ink accommodated in the liquid chamber 171.

The reference position P is the same position in the up-down direction 7as that of the axial center of the needle 181. The reference position Pis also the same position in the up-down direction 7 as that of thecenter of an ink supply opening 234 described later. However, thereference position P is not limited to the position described above,provided that the reference position P is set higher than the outlet 174in the up-down direction 7. As an example, the reference position P maybe set to the height of the top or bottom of the interior space in theneedle 181 or may be set to the height of the top or bottom of the inksupply opening 234.

When the level of ink accommodated in the liquid chamber 171 is at thereference position P or higher, light outputted from the light-emittingpart of the liquid level sensor 33 is blocked by the detectable part 194since the detectable part 194 is in the detection position.Consequently, the light from the light-emitting part does not reach thelight-receiving part, and the liquid level sensor 33 outputs a low levelsignal to the controller 130. However, when the level of inkaccommodated in the liquid chamber 171 is lower than the referenceposition P, the light outputted from the light-emitting part reaches thelight-receiving part, and the liquid level sensor 33 outputs a highlevel signal to the controller 130. In this way, the controller 130 candetect whether the ink level in the liquid chamber 171 is greater thanor equal to the reference position P according to the liquid levelsignal outputted from the liquid level sensor 33. The ink tank 160, aportion of the mounting case 150 corresponding to the ink tank 160, andthe nozzles 29 corresponding to the ink tank 160 are an example of thefirst recording device and the second recording device of the presentdisclosure.

<Cartridges 200>

The cartridge 200 is a receptacle having a liquid chamber 210 (see FIG.3) that can accommodate ink as an example of the printing agent. Thecartridge 200 is an example of the first cartridge, the secondcartridge, the third cartridge, and the fourth cartridge of the presentdisclosure. The liquid chamber 210 is an example of the first cartridgechamber and the second cartridge chamber of the present disclosure.

The liquid chamber 210 is defined by walls formed of a resin material,for example. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the cartridge 200 is formed in aflattened shape, whereby its dimensions in the up-down direction 7 andfront-rear direction 8 are greater than the dimension in the left-rightdirection 9. Cartridges 200 that store different colors of ink may beformed in the same external shape or different external shapes. At leasta portion of the walls configuring the cartridge 200 is translucent,enabling a user to view the level of ink accommodated in the liquidchamber 210 of the cartridge 200 from the outside.

The cartridge 200 is provided with a housing 201, and an ink supply tube230. The housing 201 is configured of a rear wall 202, a front wall 203,a top wall 204, a bottom wall 205, and a pair of side walls 206 and 207.Note that the rear wall 202 is configured of a plurality of walls offsetfrom each other in the front-rear direction 8. The top wall 204 is alsoconfigured of a plurality of walls that are offset from each other inthe up-down direction 7. Similarly, the bottom wall 205 is configured ofa plurality of walls that are offset from each other in the up-downdirection 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the liquid chamber 210, an ink valve chamber213, and an air valve chamber 214 are formed in the interior space ofthe cartridge 200. The liquid chamber 210 has an upper liquid chamber211, and a lower liquid chamber 212. The upper liquid chamber 211, lowerliquid chamber 212, and air valve chamber 214 constitute the interiorspace of the housing 201. The ink valve chamber 213 constitutes theinterior space of the ink supply tube 230. The liquid chamber 210accommodates ink. The air valve chamber 214 provides communicationbetween the liquid chamber 210 and the exterior of the cartridge 200.

The upper liquid chamber 211 and lower liquid chamber 212 of the liquidchamber 210 are separated from each other in the up-down direction 7 bya partitioning wall 215 that divides the interior space of the housing201. The upper liquid chamber 211 and lower liquid chamber 212 are incommunication via a through-hole 216 formed in the partitioning wall215. The upper liquid chamber 211 and air valve chamber 214 areseparated from each other by a partitioning wall 217 that divides theinterior space of the housing 201. The upper liquid chamber 211 and airvalve chamber 214 are in communication with each other via athrough-hole 218 formed in the partitioning wall 217. In addition, theink valve chamber 213 is in communication with the bottom of the lowerliquid chamber 212 via a through-hole 219.

In the top of the cartridge 200, the air valve chamber 214 communicateswith the outside of the cartridge 200 via an air communication port 221formed in the rear wall 202. Hence, one end of the air valve chamber 214(the end near the through-hole 218) communicates with the liquid chamber210 (and more specifically the upper liquid chamber 211), while theother end (the end at the air communication port 221) communicates withthe exterior of the cartridge 200. The air valve chamber 214 is incommunication with the atmosphere via the air communication port 221. Avalve 222 and a coil spring 223 are also disposed in the air valvechamber 214. The valve 222 can move in the front-rear direction 8between a closed position and an open position. The valve 222 closes theair communication port 221 when in the closed position and opens the aircommunication port 221 when in the open position. The coil spring 223urges the valve 222 rearward, i.e., in a direction for moving the valve222 from the open position to the closed position.

As the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, thecorresponding rod 153 is inserted through the air communication port 221into the air valve chamber 214. The rod 153 inserted into the air valvechamber 214 moves the valve 222 forward from its closed position againstthe urging force of the coil spring 223. By moving the valve 222 intothe open position, the rod 153 allows the upper liquid chamber 211 tocommunicate with the atmosphere. Note that the structure for opening theair communication port 221 is not limited to the example describedabove. As another example, the air communication port 221 may be sealedby a film, and the rod 153 may be configured to puncture the film.

The ink supply tube 230 protrudes rearward from the rear wall 202beneath the housing 201. The rear end of the ink supply tube 230 isopen. In other words, the ink valve chamber 213 provides communicationbetween the liquid chamber 210 via the through-hole 219 and the outsideof the cartridge 200. One end of the ink valve chamber 213 (the end withthe through-hole 219) communicates with the liquid chamber 210 (and morespecifically the lower liquid chamber 212), and the other end (the endwith an ink supply opening 234 described later) communicates with theoutside of the cartridge 200. A packing 231, a valve 232, and a coilspring 233 are disposed in the ink valve chamber 213.

An ink supply opening 234 is formed in the center of the packing 231 andpenetrates the packing 231 in the front-rear direction 8. The innerdiameter of the ink supply opening 234 is slightly smaller than theouter diameter of the needle 181. The valve 232 is capable of moving inthe front-rear direction 8 between a closed position and an openposition. When in the closed position, the valve 232 contacts thepacking 231 and closes the ink supply opening 234. When in the openposition, the valve 232 is separated from the packing 231, opening theink supply opening 234. The coil spring 233 urges the valve 232rearward, i.e., in the direction for moving the valve 232 from the openposition to the closed position. The urging force of the coil spring 233is greater than that of the coil spring 186.

As the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150, the ink supplytube 230 advances into the guide 182, and the needle 181 graduallypasses through the ink supply opening 234 and advances into the inkvalve chamber 213. At this time, the needle 181 elastically deforms thepacking 231 while closely contacting the inner circumferential surfaceof the packing 231 defining the ink supply opening 234. When thecartridge 200 is inserted farther into the mounting case 150, the needle181 moves the valve 232 forward against the urging force of the coilspring 233. At the same time, the valve 232 moves the valve 185 thatprotrudes out from the opening 183 of the needle 181 in a rearwarddirection against the urging force of the coil spring 186.

Through this operation, the ink supply opening 234 and opening 183 areopened so that the ink valve chamber 213 in the ink supply tube 230 isin communication with the interior space of the needle 181. In otherwords, through the process of mounting the cartridge 200 in the mountingcase 150, the ink valve chamber 213 and the interior space of the needle181 configure a channel that provides communication between the liquidchamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and the liquid chamber 171 of the inktank 160.

Also, by mounting the cartridge 200 in the mounting case 150, a portionof the liquid chamber 210 and a portion of the liquid chamber 171overlap each other vertically when viewed along a horizontal direction.Further, the bottom of the liquid chamber 171 is positioned lower thanthe bottom of the liquid chamber 210. Thus, ink accommodated in theliquid chamber 210 flows through the connected ink supply tube 230 andjoint 180 into the liquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160 owing to thedifference in hydraulic head between the liquid chamber 210 and liquidchamber 171.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a protrusion 241 is formed on the topwall 204. The protrusion 241 protrudes upward from the outer surface ofthe top wall 204 and extends in the front-rear direction 8. Theprotrusion 241 has a locking surface 242, and a sloped surface 243. Thelocking surface 242 and sloped surface 243 are positioned above the topwall 204. The locking surface 242 faces forward and expands along theup-down direction 7 and left-right direction 9. In other words, thelocking surface 242 is substantially orthogonal to the top wall 204. Thesloped surface 243 slopes relative to the top wall 204 so as to facediagonally upward and rearward.

The locking surface 242 is contacted by the locking pin 156 when thecartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. The sloped surface243 functions to guide the locking pin 156 into a position forcontacting the locking surface 242 as the cartridge 200 is being mountedin the mounting case 150. Through this contact between the lockingsurface 242 and locking pin 156, the cartridge 200 is maintained in themounted position illustrated in FIG. 6 against the urging forces of thecoil springs 186, 223, and 233.

A plate-shaped member is formed on the front side of the locking surface242 and extends upward from the top wall 204. The top surface of thisplate-shaped member constitutes an operating part 244 that the useroperates in order to extract the cartridge 200 from the mounting case150. When the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150 and thecover 87 is in its open position, the user can operate the operatingpart 244. When the user presses downward on the operating part 244, thecartridge 200 pivots so that the locking surface 242 moves below thelocking pin 156. In this state, the user can extract the cartridge 200from the mounting case 150.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a light-blocking rib 245 is formed onthe outer surface of the top wall 204 to the rear of the protrusion 241.The light-blocking rib 245 protrudes upward from the outer surface ofthe top wall 204 and extends in the front-rear direction 8. Thelight-blocking rib 245 is formed of a material or in a color capable ofblocking light outputted from the light-emitting part of the mountingsensor 32. When the cartridge 200 is in its mounted state in themounting case 150, the light-blocking rib 245 is positioned in theoptical path of the light traveling from the light-emitting part to thelight-receiving part of the mounting sensor 32. Hence, the mountingsensor 32 outputs a low level signal to the controller 130 when thecartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150. Conversely, themounting sensor 32 outputs a high level signal to the controller 130when the cartridge 200 is not mounted in the mounting case 150.Therefore, the controller 130 can detect whether a cartridge 200 ismounted in the mounting case 150 according to the mounting signaloutputted from the corresponding mounting sensor 32.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, an IC chip 34 is positioned on theouter surface of the top wall 204 between the light-blocking rib 245 andprotrusion 241 in the front-rear direction 8. Electrodes 248 are formedon the IC chip 34. The IC chip 34 is also provided with a memory (notillustrated). The electrodes 248 are electrically connected to thememory on the IC chip 34. The electrodes 248 are exposed on the topsurface of the IC chip 34 so as to be capable of conducting electricitywith the corresponding contact 152 provided in the mounting case 150. Inother words, the electrodes 248 are electrically connected to thecontact 152 when the cartridge 200 is mounted in the mounting case 150.The controller 130 can read information from the memory on the IC chip34 through the contact 152 and electrodes 248 and can write informationto the memory of the IC chip 34 through the contact 152 and electrodes248.

The memory on the IC chip 34 stores type information, a serial number,and a cartridge residual quantity for the cartridge 200. The typeinformation indicates whether the cartridge 200 is a small-capacitycartridge or a large-capacity cartridge and indicates the color of inkaccommodated therein. The serial number is information that uniquelyidentifies the cartridge 200. The cartridge residual quantity is a valuespecifying the quantity of ink accommodated in the cartridge 200. Notethat for unused cartridges 200, an initial fill quantity specifying theinitial quantity of ink in the cartridge 200 is stored in a memory asthe cartridge residual quantity.

<Controller 130>

The printer 10 is provided with a controller 130. As illustrated in FIG.1, the controller 130 is provided with a central processing unit (CPU)35, a memory 36, and a communication bus 39. The memory 36 has a readonly memory (ROM) 37 that stores programs and data, and an electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) 51 and a random accessmemory (RAM) 52 that also store data.

The ROM 37 stores an operating system (OS) program 37A, a controlprogram 37B, a communication program 37C, and the like. The OS program37A functions to control the operations of other programs. Thecommunication program 37C functions to control communications withexternal devices such as the information collection server 40 and thelike. The control program 37B performs a printing process and the likedescribed later. The CPU 35 executes the OS program 37A, control program37B, and communication program 37C by processing commands described atan address. In the following description, operations processed byexecuting the OS program 37A, control program 37B, and communicationprogram 37C may be described as the operations of the controller 130.Note that the controller 130 may possess a hardware circuit that employschips to implement all or some of the operations executed by the OSprogram 37A, control program 37B, and communication program 37C.

The ROM 37 also stores a first prescribed value, a second prescribedvalue, and various threshold values described later.

The EEPROM 51 stores device information on the printer 10. Deviceinformation includes the model name of the printer 10, andidentification information for the printer 10, i.e., a printer ID forthe printer 10. This printer ID may be the MAC address, serial number,or the like of the printer 10.

The EEPROM 51 also stores a first discharge value, a second dischargevalue, an initial cartridge residual quantity, an initial tank residualquantity, a S_Empty flag, and a C_Empty flag. The EEPROM 51 furtherstores initial fill quantities of cartridges 200 in association with thetype information of the cartridges 200, respectively. These values willbe described in greater detail in a printing process described later.

The RAM 52 stores a tank residual quantity and a cartridge residualquantity described later.

In addition to the components described above, the printer 10 is alsoprovided with a clock 30, a communication interface (I/F) 31, and amotor (not illustrated). The clock 30 outputs date and time information(hereinafter “date and time” will be called “date/time information”, andwe will abbreviate “date and time” to “date/time”). The communicationI/F 31 is connected to the communication circuit 61. The recording head21, communication interface 31, mounting sensors 32, liquid levelsensors 33, contacts 152, clock 30, display 28, motor, and the like areall connected to the communication bus 39.

The controller 130 drives the motor (not illustrated) through thecommunication bus 39 to rotate the feed roller 23, conveying rollers 25,and discharge rollers 27. The controller 130 also outputs drive signalsvia the communication bus 39 to driving elements of the recording head21 in order to control the recording head 21 to eject ink droplets.

The controller 130 detects whether cartridges 200 are mounted in themounting case 150 according to mounting signals outputted from themounting sensors 32. The controller 130 also detects whether the levelof ink accommodated in the liquid chambers 171 of the corresponding inktanks 160 is at or above the reference position P according to liquidlevel signals outputted from the liquid level sensors 33.

<Information Collection Server 40>

The information collection server 40 may be established on thecommunication circuit 62 by the vendor of the printer 10 or a companyother than the vendor. The information collection server 40 includes aCPU 41, a memory 42, a communication I/F 43, a communication bus 44, anda clock 48. The CPU 41, memory 42, and communication bus 44 constitute acontroller 45. The clock 48 outputs date/time information. Thecommunication I/F 43 is connected to the communication circuit 62 andcommunicates with the printers 10 and the shipping server 50.

The memory 42 has a program storage area 46, and a data storage area 47.The program storage area 46 is a hard disk or the like, and the datastorage area 47 is a RAM, a hard disk, or the like. The memory 42 is anexample of the memory of the present disclosure.

The data storage area 47 stores a residual quantity management listdescribed later (see FIG. 14) and a cartridge management list describedlater (see FIG. 15).

The program storage area 46 stores various programs, including an OSprogram 46A, a control program 46B, and a communication program 46C. TheOS program 46A controls the operations of other programs. The controlprogram 46B executes an ordering process described later and the like.The communication program 46C controls communications with the printer10 and shipping server 50. The OS program 46A, control program 46B, andcommunication program 46C are copied from the program storage area 46 todata storage area 47 as a series of commands to be executed sequentiallyby the CPU 41. In the following description, the operations processed byexecuting the OS program 46A, control program 46B, and communicationprogram 46C will be described as the operations of the controller 45 orthe information collection server 40. The control program 46B is anexample of the set of program instructions of the present disclosure.

<Shipping Server 50>

The shipping server 50 may be established on the communication circuit62 by the vendor of the printer 10 or by a company other than thevendor. The shipping server 50 provides a service of shipping cartridges200 to users of printers 10 in response to requests (order commands)from the information collection server 40.

<Ink Management with the Ordering System 5>

In the ordering system 5, the information collection server 40 collectsmanagement information from printers 10 that includes information forresidual quantity of ink. When the residual quantity of ink becomes low,the information collection server 40 issues an order to the shippingserver 50 for a cartridge 200. Since the information collection server40 can manage residual quantities of ink and order cartridges 200 whenneeded, this ordering system 5 provides convenience to the user byeliminating the time and effort the users of printers 10 expend tomanage residual ink quantities and to purchase cartridges 200.

Specifically, the user of each printer 10 enters a contract with themanufacturer that provides a service to manage residual ink quantitiesand to place orders for cartridges 200. A contract for this inkmanagement and cartridge ordering service is entered for each printer.When a contract is entered, the user's information and printer ID forthe printer 10 under contract is stored on the information collectionserver 40. The user information is information relevant to the shippingdestination of the cartridges 200, such as the user's name and address.

Once the user and manufacturer enter this contract, printer ID for theprinter 10 and the user information are stored on the informationcollection server 40 in association with each other. The processesperformed on the printer 10, information collection server 40, andshipping server 50 in relation to the ordering of cartridges 200 will bedescribed below in greater detail.

<Processes Executed by the Controller 130 of the Printer 10>

Next, processes executed by the controller 130 of the printer 10 will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 7 through 9B. Note that the order inwhich the steps described below are executed may be modified as desiredwithout departing from the spirit of the present disclosure.

<Printing Process>

The controller 130 executes the printing process illustrated in FIG. 7when a print command is inputted into the printer 10. While there is noparticular restriction on the source of the print command, thecontroller 130 may receive user operations for a print command throughthe operating panel 22 or the display 28, or may receive user operationsfor a print command from an external device via the communication I/F31. The print command includes image data representing an image to beprinted. The controller 130 stores the image data in the RAM 52 of theprinter 10.

In S11 at the beginning of the printing process, the controller 130determines whether the value of the S_Empty flag is “ON” or “OFF.” Thecontroller 130 sets the S_Empty flag in the EEPROM 51 to “ON” prior tothe level of ink in the liquid chamber 171 of the corresponding ink tank160 dropping to the top of the outlet 174 through which ink flows out ofthe ink tank 160. Before the controller 130 sets the S_Empty flag to“ON,” the S_Empty flag stored in the EEPROM 51 is set to an initialvalue of “OFF.” Note that there is a possibility air could enter thenozzles of the recording head 21 after the level of ink reaches the topof the outlet 174. If air were to enter the nozzles in the recordinghead 21 and become retained therein, the retained air could obstruct theflow of ink into the nozzles or obstruct the ejection of ink dropletsfrom the nozzles.

Hence, the S_Empty flag serves to prevent air from being introduced intothe nozzles of the recording head 21. As will be described later, thecontroller 130 sets the S_Empty flag in the EEPROM 51 to “OFF” in stepS14 and sets the S_Empty flag to “ON” in step S55 of FIG. 8D. Althoughnot illustrated in the flowchart, the controller 130 prohibits theejection of ink from the recording head 21 when the S_Empty flag is setto “ON” and allows the ejection of ink when the S_Empty flag is set to“OFF.”

If the controller 130 determines in S11 that the S_Empty flag is set tothe value “ON” (S11: ON), the controller 130 begins acquiring themounting signal from the corresponding mounting sensor 32 at prescribedintervals. In S12 the controller 130 determines whether the acquiredmounting signal changed from a low level signal (hereinafter simplycalled “L”) to a high level signal (hereinafter simply called “H”) andwhether the mounting signal subsequently changed from “H” to “L”. Thatis, the controller 130 determines whether a cartridge 200 was mounted onthe basis of changes in the mounting signal. In the followingdescription, the controller 130 determining whether the acquiredmounting signal changed from “L” to “H” and subsequently from “H” to “L”will be described as the controller 130 determining whether thecartridge 200 has been replaced. Further the controller 130 willdetermine that a cartridge 200 has been mounted (that is, a newcartridge 200 has been replaced with the previous cartridge 200) whendetermining in S12 that the acquired mounting signal changed from “L” to“H” and subsequently changed from “H” to “L” (S12: YES).

While a cartridge 200 has not been mounted (that is, while a newcartridge 200 has not been replaced with the previous cartridge 200)(S12: NO), the controller 130 continues periodically acquiring themounting signal from the mounting sensor 32. When the controller 130determines that a cartridge 200 has been mounted (S12: YES), thecontroller 130 executes a first updating process in S13.

Note that while the process in S12 is given as an example by which thecontroller 130 determines whether a cartridge 200 has been mounted, thedetermination is not limited to this process. For example, thecontroller 130 may determine whether a cartridge 200 has been mounted onthe basis of a serial number. In this case, the controller 130 reads theserial number of a cartridge 200 from the memory on the IC chip 34 ofthe cartridge 200. Subsequently, the controller 130 determines whetherthe serial number read from the memory matches a serial number stored inthe EEPROM 51. The serial numbers stored in the EEPROM 51 are thoseserial numbers stored in the memory of IC chips 34 disposed oncartridges 200 (previous cartridges 200) that were mounted in themounting case 150 prior to a new cartridge 200 being mounted in themounting case 150. Thus, in this case the controller 130 determines thata cartridge 200 has been mounted when the serial number read from thememory of the IC chip 34 does not match a serial number stored on theEEPROM 51.

<First Updating Process>

The controller 130 executes the first updating process illustrated inFIG. 8A so as to update the initial cartridge residual quantity andinitial tank residual quantity stored in the EEPROM 51 and the cartridgeresidual quantity stored in the IC chip 34 on a cartridge 200, when thecartridge 200 has just been mounted in the mounting case 150 of theprinter 10.

In S31 at the beginning of the first updating process, the controller130 reads the cartridge residual quantity from the memory on the IC chip34 of the cartridge 200 mounted in the mounting case 150 through thecontact 152. In S32 the controller 130 stores the cartridge residualquantity read in S31 in the EEPROM 51 as the initial cartridge residualquantity.

In S33 the controller 130 reads a tank residual quantity from the RAM52. Note that if a tank residual quantity is not stored in the RAM 52due to an interruption in power supply or the like, the controller 130calculates a tank residual quantity and stores this calculated value inthe RAM 52, similar to a fourth updating process described later. Thetank residual quantity read from the RAM 52 indicates the residualquantity of ink accumulated in the liquid chamber 171 of the ink tank160 just prior to the cartridge 200 being mounted. In other words, thetank residual quantity indicates the quantity of ink that hadaccumulated in the liquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160 when theprevious cartridge 200 was removed. In S33 the controller 130 stores thetank residual quantity read from the RAM 52 in the EEPROM 51 as theinitial tank residual quantity.

In S34 the controller 130 adds the initial tank residual quantity to theinitial cartridge residual quantity to calculate a total residualquantity specifying the total quantity of residual ink. In S35 thecontroller 130 sets a new cartridge residual quantity and new tankresidual quantity on the basis of the calculated total residualquantity.

To describe this in greater detail, when a new cartridge 200 is mountedin the mounting case 15, a portion of the ink accommodated in the liquidchamber 210 of the new cartridge 200 flows out of the liquid chamber 210into the liquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160. This flow of ink fromthe liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 into the liquid chamber 171of the ink tank 160 stops when the difference in the hydraulic headbetween ink accommodated in the liquid chamber 210 and ink accommodatedin the liquid chamber 171 becomes negligible. The new cartridge residualquantity and new tank residual quantity indicate residual ink quantitieswhen there is little difference in hydraulic head between inkaccommodated in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200 and inkaccommodated in the liquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160.

The controller 130 may calculate the cartridge residual quantity andtank residual quantity according to formulae stored in the EEPROM 51 orROM 37, for example. Alternatively, the controller 130 may set thecartridge residual quantity and tank residual quantity according totables stored in the EEPROM 51 or ROM 37, for example. Morespecifically, the shape of the liquid chamber 210 in the cartridge 200and the shape of the liquid chamber 171 in the ink tank 160 arepredetermined according to design. Therefore, by knowing the totalresidual quantity of ink, it is also possible to determine the cartridgeresidual quantity and tank residual quantity when the hydraulic headdifference between ink accommodated in the cartridge 200 and inkaccommodated in the ink tank 160 is almost nothing. Thus, formulae forcalculating the cartridge residual quantity and tank residual quantityfrom a total residual quantity are prestored in the EEPROM 51 or ROM 37.Alternatively, tables showing correlations between cartridge residualquantities and tank residual quantities, and total residual quantitiesmay be prestored in the EEPROM 51 or ROM 37. The controller 130 sets anew cartridge residual quantity and a new tank residual quantityaccording to the formulae or tables.

In S36 the controller 130 stores the new cartridge residual quantity inthe RAM 52 and updates the cartridge residual quantity stored in thememory on the IC chip 34. In S37 the controller 130 stores the new tankresidual quantity in the RAM 52. Subsequently, the controller 130 endsthe first updating process.

After completing the first updating process of S13 illustrated in FIG.7, in S14 the controller 130 sets the S_Empty flag to “OFF” in theEEPROM 51, sets the C_Empty flag in the EEPROM 51 to “OFF,” sets acartridge replacement flag to “ON” in the EEPROM 51, and resets thefirst discharge value and second discharge value to “zero.”Subsequently, the controller 130 repeats the process described abovefrom S11. Here, the C_Empty flag, first discharge value, seconddischarge value, and cartridge replacement flag will be described later.

If the controller 130 determines in S11 that the S_Empty flag is set to“OFF” (S11: OFF), in S15 the controller 130 acquires the liquid levelsignal from the liquid level sensor 33. In S16 the controller 130performs a printing operation on a sheet according to image data storedin the RAM 52. By printing an image on a sheet, ink is discharged fromthe recording head 21, lowering the level of ink in the ink tank 160.After completing the printing operation in S16, in S17 the controller130 acquires a liquid level signal from the liquid level sensor 33. InS18 the controller 130 determines the change of the pair of liquid levelsignals acquired in S15 and S17. In the following description, a lowlevel signal acquired from the liquid level sensor 33 will simply becalled “L” and a high level signal acquired from the liquid level sensor33 will simply be called “H”.

If the controller 130 determines that the liquid level signals acquiredin S15 and S17 are both “L” (S18: L→L), the controller 130 executes asecond updating process in S19. When the controller 130 determines inS18 that the liquid level signals acquired in S15 and S17 are both “L”,the level of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160prior to the printing operation in S16 being executed was at thereference position P or higher (since a liquid level signal of “L” wasacquired in S15), and similarly the level of ink stored in the liquidchamber 171 of the ink tank 160 after the printing operation of S16 wasexecuted is at the reference position P or higher (since a liquid levelsignal of “L” was acquired in S17). In other words, when the controller130 acquires a liquid level signal of “L” in S17 after executing aprinting operation in S16, ink still remains in the liquid chamber 210of the cartridge 200.

<Second Updating Process>

The controller 130 executes the second updating process illustrated inFIG. 8B so as to set a new cartridge residual quantity and a new tankresidual quantity based on a first discharge value specifying thequantity of ink discharge through the recording head 21 during printingand maintenance, when ink still remains in the liquid chamber 210 of thecartridge 200. The first discharge value is found by multiplying thequantity of one ink droplet ejected from the recording head 21 by thenumber of ink droplets ejected, for example. Each time the controller130 gives a command to eject ink from the recording head 21, thecontroller 130 calculates the first discharge value based on thiscommand. The controller 130 calculates a first discharge value thatcorresponds to the total quantity of ink ejected by the recording head21 from the moment the cartridge 200 was mounted in the mounting case150 to the present. Hence, the first discharge value is the cumulativequantity of ink ejected by the recording head 21 since the cartridge 200was mounted. The first discharge value is stored in the EEPROM 51.

In S41 at the beginning of the second updating process, the controller130 reads the initial cartridge residual quantity and the initial tankresidual quantity from the EEPROM 51. In S42 the controller 130calculates the total residual quantity by adding the initial cartridgeresidual quantity and initial tank residual quantity read in S41. In S43the controller 130 calculates a new total residual quantity bysubtracting the first discharge value from the total residual quantitycalculated in S42. In S44 the controller 130 sets a new cartridgeresidual quantity and a new tank residual quantity using the new totalresidual quantity calculated in S43 and the formulae or tables describedearlier.

In S45 the controller 130 stores the new cartridge residual quantity setin S44 in the RAM 52 and updates the cartridge residual quantity storedin memory on the IC chip 34. In S46 the controller 130 also stores thenew tank residual quantity set in S44 in the RAM 52. Subsequently, thecontroller 130 ends the second updating process.

After completing the second updating process of S19 illustrated in FIG.7, in S22 the controller 130 determines whether image data for asubsequent page is stored in the RAM 52. If image data for a subsequentpage is stored in the RAM 52 (S22: YES), the controller 130 returns toS11 and repeats the process described above. However, if the controller130 determines that image data for another page is not stored in the RAM52 (S22: NO), the controller 130 ends the printing process.

Note that the method for setting the cartridge residual quantity andtank residual quantity described above is merely an example and thesequantities may be set according to another method.

When the controller 130 determines in S11 that the S_Empty flag is setto “OFF” (S11: OFF), the controller 130 again executes the process fromS15 to S18. If the controller 130 acquires the liquid level signal “L”in S15 and acquires the liquid level signal “H” in S17 (S18: L→H), thecontroller 130 executes a third updating process in S20. When thecontroller 130 determines in S18 that the liquid level signal acquiredin S15 is “L” and the liquid level signal acquired in S17 is “H”, thelevel of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160 priorto execution of the printing operation in S16 was at or higher than thereference position P (as indicated by the liquid level signal “L”acquired in S15) and the level of ink stored in the liquid chamber 171after the printing operation of S16 was executed is lower than thereference position P (as indicated by the liquid level signal “H”acquired in S17). That is, the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200became depleted of ink while the printing operation of S16 was executed.This signifies that ink in the liquid chamber 210 of the cartridge 200was used up during the printing operation.

<Third Updating Process>

The controller 130 executes the third updating process illustrated inFIG. 8C so as to update the cartridge residual quantity to a firstprescribed value and so as to update the tank residual quantity to asecond prescribed value, when ink in the liquid chamber 210 of thecartridge 200 was just used up during the printing operation. Morespecifically, the first discharge value indicating the quantity of inkdischarged from the recording head 21 during printing and the likeincludes error. For example, even though the controller 130 commands therecording head 21 to eject ink in a specific quantity, the quantity ofink actually ejected from the recording head 21 may differ from thespecific quantity directed by the controller 130. One factor of thisdifference may be the temperature when the ejection of ink is commanded,for example. That is, the viscosity of ink increases as temperaturedrops, and high-viscosity ink is more difficult to discharge through thenozzles 29. Further, when the controller 130 repeatedly issues the abovecommand to the recording head 21, the difference between the quantity ofink actually discharged from the recording head 21 through theserepetitions and the total amount of the specific quantity multiplied bythe number of repetitions may increase. In other words, there is apossibility that the error between the quantity specified by thecalculated first discharge value and the quantity actually dischargedfrom the recording head 21 will accumulate each time a printingoperation is performed.

Since the cartridge residual quantity is set according to this firstdischarge value, error is generated between the residual ink quantityspecified by the cartridge residual quantity and the actual residual inkquantity in the liquid chamber 210. Further, since the tank residualquantity is set according to the first discharge value, error isgenerated between the residual ink quantity specified by the tankresidual quantity and the actual residual ink quantity in the liquidchamber 171. Consequently, the cartridge residual quantity and the tankresidual quantity set every printing operation include accumulatederror. The third updating process is performed to reset this accumulatederror.

Specifically, in S47 of FIG. 8C, the controller 130 updates thecartridge residual quantities stored both in the RAM 52 and the memoryon the IC chip 34 to the first prescribed value. The first prescribedvalue may be zero, for example. In S48 the controller 130 updates thetank residual quantity in the RAM 52 to the second prescribed value. Thesecond prescribed value indicates the quantity of ink stored in theliquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160 when the level of ink is at thereference position P. The first prescribed value and second prescribedvalue are stored in the ROM 37 in advance, for example.

In S49 the controller 130 sets the C_Empty flag in the EEPROM 51 to “ON”and subsequently ends the third updating process. Thus, when inkaccommodated in the cartridge 200 is used up, the C_Empty flag in theEEPROM 51 stores the value “ON”.

After completing the third updating process of S20 illustrated in FIG.7, in S22 the controller 130 determines whether image data forsubsequent pages is stored in the RAM 52. The controller 130 repeats theabove process from S11 when determining that image data for subsequentpages is stored in the RAM 52 (S22: YES) and ends the printing processwhen determining that image data for subsequent pages is not stored inthe RAM 52 (S22: NO).

When the controller 130 determines in the process of S11 that theS_Empty flag is set to “OFF” (S11: OFF), the controller 130 repeats theprocess in steps S15 through S18. If the controller 130 determines inS18 that the liquid level signals acquired in S15 and S17 are both “H”(S18: H→H), the controller 130 executes a fourth updating process inS21. When the controller 130 determines in S18 that both liquid levelsignals acquired in S15 and S17 are “H”, the level of ink stored in theliquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160 prior to the printing operationin S16 being executed was lower than the reference position P (asindicated by the liquid level signal “H” acquired in S15) and the levelof ink stored in the liquid chamber 171 remains lower than the referenceposition P following the printing operation in S16 (as indicated by theliquid level signal “H” acquired in S17). In other words, the liquidchamber 210 of the cartridge 200 contains no ink before or after thecontroller 130 executes the printing operation in S16.

<Fourth Updating Process>

The controller 130 executes the fourth updating process illustrated inFIG. 8D so that the controller 130 calculates a tank residual quantityand determines whether the quantity of ink in the ink tank 160 specifiedby the tank residual quantity is a sufficient quantity for continuingprinting, when the printing was performed after the liquid chamber 210of the cartridge 200 had ran out of ink.

In S51 at the beginning of the fourth updating process, the controller130 reads the tank residual quantity updated to the second prescribedvalue from the RAM 52 and the second discharge value from the EEPROM 51.In S52 the controller 130 subtracts the second discharge value from thetank residual quantity read in S51 to find a new tank residual quantity.As with the first discharge value, the second discharge value isobtained by multiplying the quantity of one ink droplet discharged fromthe recording head 21 by the number of times an ink droplet wasdischarged, for example. Each time the controller 130 issues a commandto the recording head 21 to discharge ink, the controller 130 calculatesthe second discharge value based on the command. The controller 130calculates the second discharge value to indicate the quantity of inkdischarged by the recording head 21 from the timing after the liquidlevel signal acquired from the liquid level sensor 33 changed from “L”to “H” until the present time. Thus, the second discharge value is thecumulative quantity of ink discharged by the recording head 21 since theliquid level signal changed from “L” to “H”. This second discharge valueis stored in the EEPROM 51.

In S53 the controller 130 stores the new tank residual quantitycalculated in S52 in the RAM 52. In S54 the controller 130 determineswhether the calculated second discharge value has reached a thresholdvalue. The threshold value is stored in the ROM 37 or the EEPROM 51 inadvance. When the controller 130 determines that the second dischargevalue has not yet reached the threshold value (S54: NO), the controller130 ends the fourth updating process. However, if the controller 130determines that the second discharge value has reached the thresholdvalue (S54: YES), in S55 the controller 130 sets the S_Empty flag in theEEPROM 51 to the value “ON”. Subsequently, the controller 130 ends thefourth updating process. While not illustrated in the flowchart, if thecontroller 130 determines that the S_Empty flag is set to the value“ON”, the controller 130 prevents the discharge of ink from therecording head 21 for purposes of printing or maintenance.

The threshold value is set such that the level of ink stored in theliquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160 will be at a position slightlyhigher than the outlet 174 when the second discharge value reaches thethreshold value. More specifically, error may occur between the designreference position P for performing detections with the liquid levelsensor 33 and the reference position P at which the liquid level sensor33 actually performs detections. This difference may arise from faultyoperations of the actuator 190 or the like, for example. Thus, thethreshold value is set such that the level of ink accommodated in theliquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160 will not overlap the outlet 174when the second discharge value reaches the threshold value, even if theerror reaches the maximum possible value anticipated during design. Bypreventing ink from being discharged from the recording head 21, thecontroller 130 restricts air from being introduced into the recordinghead 21. Note that in addition to considerations for the error describedabove, the threshold value may be set such that the level of ink storedin the liquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160 does not overlap theoutlet 174 when the second discharge value reaches the threshold value,even if the printer 10 is resting on a sloped surface that slopes at aprescribed angle of inclination. In addition, the second discharge valuemay also include error, as with the first discharge value. Thus, thethreshold value may be set such that the level of ink stored in theliquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160 does not overlap the outlet 174when the second discharge value reaches the threshold value, even if thesecond discharge value contains the maximum error.

After completing the fourth updating process of S21 illustrated in FIG.7, in S22 the controller 130 determines whether image data forsubsequent pages is stored in the RAM 52. The controller 130 repeats theabove process from S11 when determining that image data for subsequentpages is stored in the RAM 52 (S22: YES) and ends the printing processwhen determining that image data for subsequent pages is not stored inthe RAM 52 (S22: NO).

As described above, the controller 130 sets a cartridge residualquantity and a tank residual quantity according to the amount of inkused during printing each time the printing operation in S16 isexecuted. Note that the above description covers the case in which thecontroller 130 sets the cartridge residual quantity and tank residualquantity each time a printing operation is executed for one page.However, the controller 130 may set the cartridge residual quantity andtank residual quantity each time printing is executed for one pass. Inaddition, the controller 130 may execute the second updating process,third updating process, and fourth updating process not only afterprinting operations, but also after ink is discharged through therecording head 21 for maintenance and the like.

Next, a management information transmission process will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B. In this process, the printer 10generates management information and transmits this managementinformation to the information collection server 40. After completingall steps of the management information transmission process, theprinter 10 returns to the initial step and repeats the process.

In S61 at the beginning of the management information transmissionprocess, the controller 130 of the printer 10 determines whetherdate/time information outputted by the clock 30 has reached a prescribedtransmission time stored in the EEPROM 51. If the controller 130determines that the date/time information outputted by the clock 30 hasnot reached the prescribed transmission time (S61: NO), the controller130 ends the management information transmission process.

However, when the date/time information outputted by the clock 30matches the prescribed transmission time (S61: YES), in S62 thecontroller 130 reads the value of the C_Empty flag from the EEPROM 51and determines whether the value is “ON”. In other words, in S62 thecontroller 130 determines whether the cartridge 200 mounted in themounting case 150 has run out of ink.

If the controller 130 determines that the C_Empty flag is set to “OFF”(S62: NO), in S63 the controller 130 reads the initial cartridgeresidual quantity, the initial tank residual quantity, and an initialfill quantity from the EEPROM 51. Note that the controller 130 readstype information for the cartridge 200 from the IC chip 34 of thecartridge 200, and subsequently reads the initial fill quantitycorresponding to this type information from the EEPROM 51.

In S64 the controller 130 reads the first discharge value from theEEPROM 51. In S65 the controller 130 calculates a total residualquantity by subtracting the first discharge value read in S64 from thesum of the initial cartridge residual quantity and initial tank residualquantity read in S63.

In S66 the controller 130 sets a new cartridge residual quantity and anew tank residual quantity based on the calculated total residualquantity, as described above in the second updating process. In S67 thecontroller 130 stores the new cartridge residual quantity in the RAM 52and on the IC chip 34. In S68 the controller 130 stores the new tankresidual quantity in the RAM 52.

In S69 the controller 130 calculates a total residual percentage (%) bydividing the total residual quantity calculated in S65 by the initialfill quantity read in S63 and multiplying the result by 100. In S70 thecontroller 130 determines whether the total residual percentagecalculated in S69 exceeds 100%. Cases in which the total residualpercentage exceeds 100% will be described next in greater detail.

When a new cartridge 200 accommodating ink of an initial fill quantityis mounted in the mounting case 150 while ink still remains in theliquid chamber 171 of the ink tank 160, the total residual quantitybecomes a value that exceeds the initial fill quantity. When the totalresidual quantity exceeds the initial fill quantity, the total residualpercentage calculated by dividing the total residual quantity by theinitial fill quantity and multiplying by 100 exceeds 100%. Hence, if anew cartridge 200 accommodating ink at the initial fill quantity ismounted in the mounting case 150 while ink remains in the liquid chamber171 of the ink tank 160, the total residual percentage will remain over100% until the residual ink in the liquid chamber 171 of the ink tank160 is used.

If the controller 130 determines in S70 that the total residualpercentage calculated in S69 exceeds 100% (S70: YES), in S71 thecontroller 130 changes the total residual percentage to 100%. However,if the controller 130 determines that the total residual percentage doesnot exceed 100% (S70: NO), the controller 130 skips S71.

In S71 the controller 130 changes the total residual percentage to 100%when the total residual percentage exceeds 100% to ensure consistencywith printers that do not transmit total residual percentages exceeding100%. A printer that does not transmit total residual percentagesexceeding 100% signifies a printer provided with the mounting case 150,but not the ink tanks 160. Printers having a mounting case 150 but noink tanks 160 transmit a value obtained by dividing the current residualquantity by the initial fill quantity and multiplying the result by 100as the residual percentage. In other words, a printer that has amounting case 150 but no ink tanks 160 transmits a residual percentageof 100% or less. Since the printer 10 modifies a total residualpercentage exceeding 100% to 100%, the printer 10 can ensure consistencywith printers having a mounting case 150 but no ink tanks 160. In otherwords, the printer 10 can transmit a total residual percentage to aninformation collection server 40 incapable of processing residualpercentages over 100% and direct the information collection server 40 toprocess this data.

On the other hand, if the controller 130 determines in S62 that theC_Empty flag is set to “ON” (S62: YES), in S72 the controller 130 readsthe cartridge residual quantity equivalent to the first prescribed value(zero) and the tank residual quantity equivalent to the secondprescribed value from the RAM 52, and the initial fill quantity from theEEPROM 51. In S73 the controller 130 reads the second discharge valuefrom the EEPROM 51. In S74 the controller 130 calculates a new tankresidual quantity by subtracting the second discharge value read in S73from the tank residual quantity read in S72. In S75 the controller 130stores the new tank residual quantity calculated in S74 in the RAM 52.

In S76 the controller 130 calculates a total residual quantity by addingthe new tank residual quantity calculated in S74 to the cartridgeresidual quantity read in S72. In S77 the controller 130 calculates atotal residual percentage by dividing the total residual quantitycalculated in S76 by the initial fill quantity read in S72 andmultiplying the result by 100.

In S78 the controller 130 stores the total residual percentagecalculated in S69, the total residual percentage modified to 100% inS71, or the total residual percentage calculated in S77 in the RAM 52.

In S79 the controller 130 reads the value of the C_Empty flag, the valueof the cartridge replacement flag, and the device information from theEEPROM 51, the cartridge residual quantity, the tank residual quantity,and the total residual percentage from the RAM 52, and the typeinformation for the cartridge 200 from the IC chip 34. In S80 thecontroller 130 generates management information that includes the valueof the C_Empty flag, the cartridge residual quantity, the tank residualquantity, the total residual percentage, the model name and printer IDfor the printer 10 indicated in the device information, the typeinformation for the cartridge 200, and the value of the cartridgereplacement flag.

In S81 the controller 130 transmits this management information to theinformation collection server 40. After transmitting the managementinformation, in S82 the controller 130 sets the cartridge replacementflag to “OFF” and subsequently ends the management informationtransmission process. Hence, management information transmitted afterthe cartridge replacement flag was set to “ON” in S14 of FIG. 7 includesthe cartridge replacement flag with the setting “ON”, and the cartridgereplacement flag is set to “OFF” after the management informationincluding this cartridge replacement flag with the setting “ON” has beentransmitted. The total residual percentage included in the managementinformation is an example of the first index value and the second indexvalue of the present disclosure.

The information collection server 40 receives the management informationtransmitted from the printer 10. Next, an ordering process executed onthe information collection server 40 that receives the managementinformation will be described with reference to FIG. 10. Note that aftercompleting all steps in the ordering process, the information collectionserver 40 returns to the initial step and repeats the process.

In S89 at the beginning of the ordering process, the controller 45 ofthe information collection server 40 determines whether managementinformation was received. If management information was not received(S89: NO), the controller 45 skips steps S90 through S95 b, and performsthe process of S96 described later. However, when management informationwas received (S89: YES), in S90 the controller 45 determines whether thecartridge replacement flag included in the management information is setto “ON”. In other words, in S90 the controller 45 determines whether thecartridge 200 in the printer 10 has been replaced with a new cartridge200 which was ordered. The process that the controller 45 of theinformation collection server 40 receives the management information isan example of the (a) acquiring and the (c) acquiring of the presentdisclosure.

If the controller 45 determines that the cartridge replacement flag isset to “ON” (S90: YES), in S91 the controller 45 sets an order flag to“OFF”. Specifically, the controller 45 sets an order flag stored in acartridge management list (described later) in association with the typeinformation (more specifically, color information) for the cartridge 200and the printer ID of the printer 10 included in the managementinformation to “OFF”. The order flag is provided to prevent thecartridge 200 from placing duplicate orders. This concept will bedescribed later. On the other hand, if the controller 45 determines thatthe cartridge replacement flag is set to “OFF” (S90: NO), the controller45 skips step S91.

In S92 the controller 45 determines whether the printer 10 thattransmitted the management information is a printer with tanks, i.e.,whether the printer 10 has both a mounting case 150 for mountingcartridges 200 and ink tanks 160 corresponding to the cartridges 200.The controller 45 makes this determination based on the printer IDincluded in the management information. Here, a printer without tanksdesignates a printer provided with the mounting case 150 but not the inktanks 160.

If the controller 45 determines that the printer 10 is a printer withouttanks (S92: NO), in S93 the controller 45 conducts ordering ofcartridges 200 according to the conventional method and ends theordering process. An example of the conventional method is the methoddescribed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-47537, butthe method performed herein is not limited to this conventional method.However, if the controller 45 determines that the printer 10 is aprinter with tanks (S92: YES), in S94 the controller 45 determineswhether the C_Empty flag included in the management information is setto “ON”. In other words, in S94 the controller 45 determines whether thecartridge 200 mounted in the printer 10 has run out of ink. If thecontroller 45 determines that the C_Empty flag is set to “OFF” (S94:NO), in S95 a the controller 45 executes an order date/time settingprocess.

In the order date/time setting process of S95 a, the controller 45 setsa date/time for ordering the cartridge 200 on the basis of themanagement information received from the printer 10. The order date/timesetting process will be described next with reference to FIG. 11A. Notethat the order date/time setting process is executed for each cartridge200 mounted in the printer 10. That is, if four cartridges 200 aremounted in the printer 10 for the colors magenta, cyan, yellow, andblack, the order date/time setting process is executed for the cartridge200 of each color (i.e., the process is executed four times). The orderdate/time setting process of S95 a is an example of the (e) setting ofthe present disclosure. The order date/time set in the order date/timesetting process of S95 a is an example of the reference timing of thepresent disclosure.

In S101 at the beginning of the order date/time setting process, thecontroller 45 acquires a cartridge-empty residual percentage(hereinafter referred to as “CTG-empty residual percentage,” where “CTG”stands for “cartridge”) on the basis of the type information for thecartridge 200 included in the management information received in S90.The CTG-empty residual percentage is the total residual percentageimmediately after the cartridge 200 runs out of ink. In the presentembodiment, the cartridge management list (described later) storingcorrelations between color information as type information forcartridges 200 and CTG-empty residual percentages is stored in thememory 42 in advance. A table storing correlations between typeinformation for cartridges 200 and CTG-empty residual percentages may bestored in the memory 42 in advance.

The controller 45 acquires the CTG-empty residual percentage by readinga CTG-empty residual percentage from the cartridge management liststored in the memory 42 that corresponds to the type informationincluded in the management information. Note that the CTG-empty residualpercentage may be included in the management information transmittedfrom the printer 10. In other words, the printer 10 may transmitmanagement information to the information collection server 40 in S81that includes the CTG-empty residual percentage, and the controller 45may acquire the CTG-empty residual percentage from the managementinformation.

In S102 the controller 45 associates the total residual percentageincluded in the management information and the CTG-empty residualpercentage acquired in S101 with the date/time of acquisition(hereinafter called “acquisition date/time”), i.e., the date/timeoutputted by the clock 48 when the management information including thetotal residual percentage was acquired, and stores the associated datain the memory 42 as a record in the residual quantity management listillustrated in FIG. 14. A residual quantity management list is createdfor the cartridge 200 of each color provided in each printer 10. Eachresidual quantity management list is identified by a printer ID of theprinter 10 and color information for the cartridge 200, for example.Note that the controller 45 may store the total residual percentage andthe CTG-empty residual percentage in the residual quantity managementlist in association with a date of acquisition that does not include thetime of acquisition rather than the acquisition date/time. The processof S102 to store the management information in the memory 42 inassociation with the acquisition date/time is an example of the (b)storing and the (d) storing of the present disclosure. The acquisitiondate/time is an example of the first acquisition timing and the secondacquisition timing of the present disclosure.

The residual quantity management list has a record for each acquisitiondate/time, with each record including a plurality of data items. Thedata items include the acquisition date/time, the total residualpercentage, the total residual quantity, the cartridge residualquantity, the tank residual quantity, an order flag, a replacementcount, and the like. Note that the residual quantity management list mayinclude items other than those given in this example.

The item “acquisition date/time” is the date/time at which themanagement information was acquired. The item “total residualpercentage” is the total residual percentage included in the managementinformation. The item “total residual quantity” is a value indicatingthe tank residual quantity of ink accommodated in the cartridge 200 andink tank 160 of the printer 10. The total residual quantity may beincluded in the management information together with the total residualpercentage, or the controller 45 may calculate the total residualquantity from the type information, total residual percentage, and modelname included in the management information. The item “cartridgeresidual quantity” is the cartridge residual quantity included in themanagement information. The item “tank residual quantity” is the tankresidual quantity included in the management information. The item“order flag” is a value set to either “ON” or “OFF”. The order flag isset to “ON” when a new cartridge 200 is ordered and is set to “OFF” whenthe old cartridge 200 in the printer 10 is replaced. The item“replacement count” is a value indicating the number of times thecartridge 200 has been replaced in the printer 10 to date.

Each record in the residual quantity management list stores totalresidual percentages transmitted by the printer 10 at differentdates/times in association with their acquisition dates/times. Uponacquiring new management information, the controller 45 adds a newrecord to the residual quantity management list.

In S103 of the process in FIG. 11A, the controller 45 determines whetherthe residual quantity management list contains two or more records forthe same cartridge 200 indicating a total residual percentage less than100%. Specifically, the controller 45 determines whether the residualquantity management list contains two or more records corresponding tothe same printer ID and the same color information of the cartridge 200and including the same value of the replacement count. If the controller45 determines there are not two or more such records for the samecartridge 200 (S103: NO), the controller 45 ends the order date/timesetting process. However, if the controller 45 determines that there aretwo or more such records (S103: YES), in S104 the controller 45 sets alinear function based on dates/times and total residual percentages. Themethod of setting the linear function will be described next withreference to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 illustrates a graph whose horizontal axis(X-axis) represents date/time and whose vertical axis (Y-axis)represents total residual percentage.

The controller 45 sets an initial record at which the total residualpercentage has dropped below 100% according to the items “total residualpercentage” and “acquisition date/time” in the residual quantitymanagement list. The controller 45 acquires the acquisition date/time T1and the total residual percentage P1 for the record set above from theresidual quantity management list. The controller 45 also sets a mostrecent record according to the item “acquisition date/time” in theresidual quantity management list. The controller 45 acquires theacquisition date/time T2 and the total residual percentage P2 for themost recent record from the residual quantity management list. Here, theacquisition date/time T2 is a date/time at which management informationincluding data items in the most recent record was acquired, and is alsocalled a “current date/time”.

Next, the controller 45 sets a straight line passing through point (T1,P1) and point (T2, P2) having the slope (P2−P1)/(T2−T1) as the linearfunction. Note that the controller 45 may set the linear function to aline passing through points specified by any two records with a totalresidual percentage less than 100%.

After setting the linear function in S104 of FIG. 11A, in S105 thecontroller 45 estimates a cartridge-empty date/time (hereinafterreferred to as “CTG-empty date/time,” where “CTG” stands for“cartridge”) and an out-of-ink date/time. The CTG-empty date/timeindicates the date/time at which the cartridge 200 will run out of ink.The out-of-ink date/time indicates the date/time at which neither thecartridge 200 nor the ink tank 160 will contain any ink.

In S106 the controller 45 sets an estimated arrival date/time of acartridge 200 based on the estimated CTG-empty date/time and out-of-inkdate/time. In S107 the controller 45 sets an order date/time based onthe estimated arrival date/time. Here, the estimated arrival date/timeindicates the date/time at which arrival of a new cartridge 200 isdesired. The order date/time indicates the date/time to order thecartridge 200. The estimated arrival date/time is an example of thefirst timing of the present disclosure. The order date/time is anexample of the reference timing of the present disclosure. Note that theCTG-empty date/time, the out-of-ink date/time, the estimated arrivaldate/time, and the order date/time may all indicate a date that does notinclude a time.

Here, steps S105, S106, and S107 will be described in greater detailwith reference to FIG. 12. In S105 the controller 45 estimates theCTG-empty date/time indicating the date/time at which the total residualpercentage becomes the CTG-empty residual percentage according to thelinear function set in S104. In other words, the controller 45 estimatesthe date/time at which the cartridge 200 will become empty and sets theCTG-empty date/time to this date/time. Next, in S105 the controller 45estimates the out-of-ink date/time indicating the date/time at which thetotal residual percentage becomes zero according to the linear functionset in S104. In other words, the controller 45 estimates the date/timeat which both the cartridge 200 and ink tank 160 will run out of ink andsets the out-of-ink date/time to this date/time.

In S106 the controller 45 sets the middle date/time of a time spanbetween the CTG-empty date/time and the out-of-ink date/time as theestimated arrival date/time on which the cartridge 200 are desired toreach the user and stores this estimated arrival date/time in thecartridge management list (described later) stored in the memory 42.More specifically, the controller 45 stores the estimated arrivaldate/time in a record corresponding to the printer ID of the printer 10and the color information of the cartridge 200 among a plurality ofrecords stored in the cartridge management list.

The estimated arrival date/time is set to the middle date/time of thetime span between the CTG-empty date/time and the out-of-ink date/timeto ensure that, even if the cartridge 200 does not arrive exactly on theestimated arrival date/time, the user will receive the new cartridge 200sometime after the cartridge 200 runs out of ink and before thecartridge 200 and ink tank 160 both run out of ink.

Note also that the linear function is set using the initial record atwhich the total residual percentage became less than 100% and the mostrecent record in order to suppress a drop in precision for estimatingthe CTG-empty date/time and out-of-ink date/time. A drop in theprecision for estimating the CTG-empty date/time and out-of-inkdate/time signifies a larger difference between the estimated out-of-inkdate/time and the actual date/time that the printer 10 runs out of inkand a larger difference between the estimated CTG-empty date/time andthe actual date/time that the cartridge 200 runs out of ink.

More specifically, the printer 10 transmits 100% to the informationcollection server 40 as the total residual percentage when the totalresidual percentage exceeds 100%, as described above. Therefore, thetotal residual percentage may exceed 100% on the printer 10 when theinformation collection server 40 stores 100% as the total residualpercentage. Consequently, if the controller 45 were to set a linearfunction based on a total residual percentage of 100% despite the totalresidual percentage exceeding 100%, the precision in estimating theout-of-ink date/time and CTG-empty date/time may be lower. Thus, settingthe linear function using records whose total residual percentage isunder 100% can likely suppress a drop in precision for estimating theout-of-ink date/time and CTG-empty date/time.

As described above, the residual ink quantity specified by the cartridgeresidual quantity and the residual ink quantity specified by the tankresidual quantity include error with respect to the actual quantity ofink accommodated in the cartridge 200 and the actual quantity of inkaccommodated in the ink tank 160. This error can accumulate as thequantity of ink discharged by the recording head 21 increases.Therefore, it is highly probable that the total residual percentage inthe initial record for which the total residual percentage is less than100% will have less error than the total residual percentage in recordstransmitted after this initial record. Hence, by using the initialrecord having a total residual percentage under 100%, it may be possibleto suppress a drop in precision for setting the estimated arrivaldate/time.

Further, since the amount of ink usage varies daily, using the totalresidual percentage of the most recent record likely can suppress a dropin setting precision for the estimated arrival date/time better thanusing the total residual percentage of an older record.

In S107 the controller 45 sets the order date/time for ordering a newcartridge 200 to a date/time earlier than the set estimated arrivaldate/time by a delivery lead time (three days, for example). Thedelivery lead time is the expected amount of time after a new cartridge200 has been ordered for the cartridge 200 to reach the address includedin the user information stored on the information collection server 40.The delivery lead time is stored in the memory 42 in advance, and is anexample of the first period of time of the present disclosure. Theaddress is specified by the destination information stored in thecartridge management list in association with the printer ID of theprinter 10 and the color information for the cartridge 200 in advance.Here, the color information represents color of ink accommodated in thecartridge 200 and is specified by the type information for the cartridge200.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the controller 45 stores the estimatedarrival date/time in the cartridge management list stored in the memory42. In S109 the controller 45 stores the order date/time in thecartridge management list in FIG. 15 and subsequently ends the orderdate/time setting process.

The cartridge management list illustrated in FIG. 15 enables theinformation collection server 40 to oversee a plurality of printers 10.The administrator of the information collection server 40 uses thecartridge management list to manage or monitor the ordering ofcartridges 200, for example. Each record in the cartridge managementlist is created and stored in the cartridge management list when a userenters a contract with the manufacturer that provides the ink managementand cartridge ordering service.

The cartridge management list stores a record for the cartridge 200 ofeach color in each printer 10. Each record has a plurality of items thatinclude “printer ID,” “color information,” “user ID,” “destinationinformation,” “model name,” “estimated arrival date/time,” “orderdate/time,” “order flag,” “simultaneous order flag,” “replacementcount,” “CTG-empty residual percentage,” “linear function,” and thelike. Note that the cartridge management list may include items otherthan those given in this example.

The item “printer ID” uniquely identifies each printer 10, and may be aMAC address or a serial number, for example.

The item “color information” specifies the color of ink accommodated inthe cartridge 200. In the example of FIG. 15, the printer 10 identifiedby a printer ID “001” is a color printer having four cartridges 200 forthe colors black, magenta, cyan, and yellow. Printers 10 identified byprinter IDs “002” to “007” are monochromatic printers having a singleblack cartridge 200.

The item “user ID” specifies the user's name, a customer code, acombination of the user's name and customer code, or the like. In theexample of FIG. 15, the five printers 10 identified by printer IDs “001”to “005” are associated with a user having the user ID “USER A”(hereinafter simply called “USER A”), and the two printers 10 identifiedby printer IDs “006” and “007” are associated with a user having theuser ID “USER B”.

The item “destination information” specifies the address to whichcartridges 200 will be delivered. In the example of FIG. 15, “aaa” isset as the destination for delivering cartridges 200 for the twoprinters 10 identified by printer IDs “001” and “002” that areassociated with USER A, and “bbb” is set as the destination fordelivering cartridges 200 for the three printers 10 identified byprinter IDs “003” to “005” that are also associated with USER A. Here,the destination information “aaa” may designate the head office for USERA, while “bbb” designates a branch office for USER A, for example.

The item “model name” specifies the model name of the printer 10. Theitem “estimated arrival date/time” specifies the estimated arrivaldate/time set in S106 of FIG. 11A. The item “order date/time” specifiesthe order date/time set in S107. The controller 45 sets an estimatedarrival date/time and an order date/time every time managementinformation is received from a printer 10 and updates the items“estimated arrival date/time” and “order date/time” in the cartridgemanagement list with the latest estimated arrival date/time and orderdate/time.

The item “order flag” is identical to the same item in the residualquantity management list. The item “simultaneous order flag” is a valueset to either “ON” or “OFF”. The simultaneous order flag is set to “ON”when the determination is made that simultaneous ordering with anothercartridge 200 is possible, and is set to “OFF” when a new cartridge 200is ordered.

The item “replacement count” is identical to the same item in theresidual quantity management list. The item “CTG-empty residualpercentage” specifies the CTG-empty residual percentage acquired inS101.

The item “linear function” specifies the linear function set in S104.Note that the item “linear function” need not be displayed. The item“linear function” is used in a plural order setting process of S95 bthat is executed after the order date/time setting process of S95 adescribed above (see FIG. 10).

The items “printer ID,” “user ID,” and “destination information” in eachrecord stored in the cartridge management list are inputted on the basisof the operation of an administrator or operator of the informationcollection server 40 and stored in the cartridge management list uponentering a contract with the user, for example.

The controller 45 of the information collection server 40 sets items“model name,” “color information,” and “CTG-empty residual percentage”on the basis of the printer ID for the printer 10 and type informationfor the cartridge 200 inputted by the administrator or operator, forexample. Specifically, correlations between printer IDs and model namesof printers 10 and correlations between type information, colorinformation, and CTG-empty residual percentages for cartridges 200 arestored in the memory 42 in advance. The controller 45 reads the modelname, color information, and CTG-empty residual percentage correspondingto the inputted printer ID and type information from the memory 42 andstores this information in the cartridge management list.

Each time the information collection server 40 receives managementinformation from the printer 10, the controller 45 determines that thecartridge replacement flag is set to “ON” or “OFF,” and stores the value“OFF” of the order flag in the cartridge management list if thecartridge replacement flag is set to “ON.” In addition, each time theinformation collection server 40 receives management information fromthe printer 10, the controller stores the calculated replacement countin the cartridge management list under item “replacement count.”

After setting the estimated arrival date/time in S106, the controller 45stores this date/time in the cartridge management list under item“estimated arrival date/time.” After setting the order date/time inS107, the controller 45 stores this order date/time in the cartridgemanagement list under item “order date/time.” After setting the linearfunction in S104, the controller 45 stores this linear function in thecartridge management list under item “linear function.”

In the plural order setting process, the controller 45 of theinformation collection server 40 determines whether to order a pluralityof cartridges 200 simultaneously and makes a setting indicating theresult of this determination. This process will be described next withreference to FIG. 11B. In the following description, a cartridge 200 forwhich an order date/time was set in S107 will be called a firstcartridge 200 a, while cartridges 200 subjected to the determinationregarding whether simultaneous ordering with the cartridge 200 a ispossible will be called second cartridges 200 b. The first cartridge 200a is an example of the first cartridge of the present disclosure. Thesecond cartridges 200 b are an example of the second cartridge of thepresent disclosure.

In S111 at the beginning of the plural order setting process of FIG.11B, the controller 45 acquires the destination information for thefirst cartridge 200 a from item “destination information” in thecartridge management list and determines whether the cartridgemanagement list includes other records having the same destinationinformation. If the controller 45 determines that no records possessingthe same destination information as the acquired destination informationexist in the cartridge management list (S111: NO), the controller 45ends the plural order setting process.

However, if the controller 45 determines that the cartridge managementlist includes other records possessing the same destination information(S111: YES), in S112 the controller 45 reads the order date/time fromeach record possessing the same destination information in the cartridgemanagement list. In S113 the controller 45 determines whether the orderdate/time for the first cartridge 200 a is earlier than the orderdates/times read from the other records. In other words, the controller45 determines in S113 whether the order date/time for the firstcartridge 200 a is the earliest among the order dates/times for allcartridges 200 including the first cartridge 200 a and the secondcartridges 200 b whose records having the same destination information.

If the controller 45 determines that the order date/time read from anyof the records for the second cartridges 200 b in the cartridgemanagement list is earlier than the order date/time for the firstcartridge 200 a (S113: NO), the controller 45 ends the plural ordersetting process. However, if the controller 45 determines that the orderdate/time for the first cartridge 200 a is earliest (S113: YES), thecontroller 45 executes the process beginning from S114 for each of thecartridges 200 (second cartridges 200 b) whose records specify the samedestination information as the first cartridge 200 a. In other words,the controller 45 sets the cartridge 200 having the earliest orderdate/time to the first cartridge 200 a, sets each cartridge 200 havingthe same destination information as the first cartridge 200 a as asecond cartridge 200 b, and determines, for each second cartridge 200 b,whether the second cartridge 200 b is a cartridge 200 that can beordered simultaneously with the first cartridge 200 a.

In S114 the controller 45 first reads records for the second cartridges200 b from the cartridge management list. In S115 the controller 45determines whether a linear function is stored in a record read for eachsecond cartridge 200 b. When a linear function is not stored in therecord for a second cartridge 200 b stored in the cartridge managementlist, the controller 45 determined in S103 of FIG. 11A that there werenot two or more records for this second cartridge 200 b in the residualquantity management list having a total residual percentage less than100%. Consequently, the controller 45 did not set a linear function forthis second cartridge 200 b in S104.

If the controller 45 determines in S115 that a linear function is notstored in any of the records for the second cartridges 200 b (S115: NO),the controller 45 ends the plural order setting process. However, if thecontroller 45 determines that a linear function is stored in any one ormore of the records for the second cartridges 200 b (S115: YES), in S116the controller uses the linear function read from the record tocalculate the total residual percentage for the corresponding secondcartridge 200 b at the estimated arrival date/time of the firstcartridge 200 a estimated in S106. In other words, in S116 thecontroller 45 calculates the total residual percentage (hereinaftercalled the “estimated residual percentage”) for the second cartridge 200b on the date/time that a cartridge 200 will reach the user forreplacement with the first cartridge 200 a.

In S117 the controller 45 determines whether the estimated residualpercentage calculated in S116 is less than the CTG-empty residualpercentage. That is, in S117 the controller 45 determines whether allink in the second cartridge 200 b will be used up on the date/time thatthe cartridge 200 reaches the user for replacement with the firstcartridge 200 a.

If the controller 45 determines that the estimated residual percentagefor the second cartridge 200 b is less than the CTG-empty residualpercentage (S117: YES), in S118 the controller 45 sets a simultaneousorder flag to “ON” for this second cartridge 200 b and subsequently endsthe plural order setting process. As illustrated in FIG. 15, thesimultaneous order flag is stored in the cartridge management list.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a linear function for the firstcartridge 200 a and a linear function for a second cartridge 200 b whosesimultaneous order flag is set to “ON”. When the linear functions of thefirst cartridge 200 a and second cartridge 200 b have a relationshipsimilar to that illustrated in FIG. 13, the total residual percentage(estimated residual percentage) for the second cartridge 200 b at theestimated arrival date/time of the first cartridge 200 a is smaller thanthe CTG-empty residual percentage.

On the other hand, if the controller 45 determines in S117 that theestimated residual percentage for the second cartridge 200 b is greaterthan or equal to the CTG-empty residual percentage (S117: NO), in S119the controller 45 sets the simultaneous order flag to “OFF” for thissecond cartridge 200 b and subsequently ends the plural order settingprocess. In other words, the controller 45 sets the simultaneous orderflag to “OFF” in the record for a cartridge 200 (a second cartridge 200b) that will not be ordered simultaneously with the cartridge 200 havingthe earliest order date/time (the first cartridge 200 a). Note that stepS120 depicted with dashed lines in FIG. 11B describes a process executedin a second embodiment and is not executed in the first embodiment. Theprocess in S120 will be described in the second embodiment.

After executing the plural order setting process in S95 b of FIG. 10, orwhen the controller 45 determines in S89 that management information wasnot received (S89: NO), in S96 the controller 45 determines whether itis a fixed time, such as 10:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. When it is not thefixed time (S96: NO), the controller 45 ends the ordering process.However, when it is the fixed time (S96: YES), in S97 the controller 45determines whether the current date/time has reached the orderdate/time.

Specifically, in the present embodiment, the controller 45 determinesevery day at the fixed time whether the current date/time has reachedthe order date/time in any of the records stored in the cartridgemanagement list. If the current date/time has not yet reached the orderdate/time in any of the records (S97: NO), the controller 45 ends theordering process. However, when the controller 45 determines that thecurrent date/time has reached the order date/time for any one or morerecords (S97: YES), in S98 a the controller 45 determines whether theorder flag is set to “OFF” in each record. In other words, thecontroller 45 determines in S98 a whether a new cartridge 200 hasalready been ordered for replacement with the cartridge 200 (firstcartridge 200 a) corresponding to each record determined to have anorder date/time matching the current date/time. For example, the valueof the order flag may be set to “ON” when the cartridge 200 was alreadyordered simultaneously with another cartridge 200 having the samedestination information.

When the order flag is set to value “ON” for the first cartridge 200 a(S98 a: NO), the controller 45 ends the ordering process. In otherwords, when a new cartridge 200 has already been ordered for the firstcartridge 200 a, the controller 45 ends the ordering process withoutordering another cartridge 200.

However, when the controller 45 determines that the order flag is set to“OFF” for the first cartridge 200 a (S98 a: YES), in S98 b thecontroller 45 determines whether the cartridge management list includesrecords for second cartridges 200 b having the same destinationinformation as that for the first cartridge 200 a and a simultaneousorder flag set to “ON”.

If the controller 45 determines that there are no records for secondcartridges 200 b in the cartridge management list having the samedestination information and a simultaneous order flag set to “ON” (S98b: NO), in S99 a the controller 45 transmits an order command to theshipping server 50 to place an order for the first cartridge 200 a.

However, if the controller 45 determines in S98 b that the cartridgemanagement list includes records for the second cartridges 200 b havingthe same destination information as that for the first cartridge 200 aand a simultaneous order flag set to “ON” (S98 b: YES), in S99 b thecontroller 45 transmits an order command to the shipping server 50placing an order for the first cartridge 200 a and for cartridges 200having the same destination information and a simultaneous order flagset to “ON”. In other words, the controller 45 places an order for aplurality of cartridges 200 at the same time. The process of step S99 bin which the information collection server 40 transmits an order commandis an example of the (g) transmitting of the present disclosure.

More specifically, the controller 45 determines every day at the fixedtime, such as 10:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m., whether the current date/timehas reached the order date/time in any of the records, and transmits anorder command to the shipping server 50 for ordering a cartridge 200 forreplacement with a first cartridge 200 a in each record determined tohave an order date/time matching the current date/time and cartridges200 for replacement with cartridges 200 (second cartridges 200 b), ifany, having the same destination information as that of the firstcartridge 200 a and a simultaneous order flag set to “ON”. The ordercommand includes information identifying the types of the cartridges 200(type information), such as a part number, the destination fordelivering the cartridges 200 (such as addressee information and addressinformation), and the like. Upon receiving an order command, theshipping server 50 arranges the shipment of cartridges 200 having thepart numbers (type information) included in the order command to thedestination included in the order command.

After completing the process in either step S99 a or step S99 b, in S100the controller 45 sets the order flag for each cartridge 200 that wasordered to “ON”, sets the simultaneous order flag for each secondcartridge 200 b that was ordered to “OFF”, and increments thereplacement count for each cartridge 200 that was ordered. Thecontroller 45 subsequently ends the ordering process.

On the other hand, if the controller 45 determines in S94 that theC_Empty flag is “ON” (S94: YES), the controller 45 skips steps S95 athrough S97 and executes step S98 a and the following steps describedabove. In other words, when the cartridge 200 has run out of ink (S94:YES) and a new cartridge 200 has not yet been ordered (S98 a: YES), thecontroller 45 immediately places an order for a new cartridge 200,without setting an order date/time and waiting the fixed time. However,the controller 45 may transmit a command after waiting the fixed timewhen the C_Empty flag is “ON” (S94: YES) and the order flag is “OFF”(S98 a: YES).

The controller 45 executes the ordering process described above eachtime management information is acquired. Therefore, one cartridge 200among the plurality of cartridges 200 having the same destinationinformation is set as the first cartridge 200 a each time the controller45 acquires management information.

<Effects of the First Embodiment>

In the first embodiment described above, a plurality of cartridges canbe ordered at the same time. The plurality of cartridges orderedtogether can reach the prescribed destination together. Consequently,shipping fees for the cartridges will be lower than if each of thecartridges were ordered individually. In addition, the new cartridges200 will reach the user at a time when ink no longer remains in thecorresponding mounted cartridges 200 but ink still remains in thecorresponding ink tanks 160. Therefore, since the corresponding inktanks 160 still contain ink around the time the cartridges 200 arereplaced, printing can be performed continuously using the residual inkin the ink tanks 160. Further, since the cartridges 200 being replacedno longer contain ink, the user is prevented from wasting residual inkin the cartridges 200.

In the first embodiment, the estimated arrival date/time is calculatedby setting a linear function based on two total residual percentages andtheir acquisition dates/times. Accordingly, the embodiment requiresfewer operations by the CPU 41 to calculate the estimated arrivaldate/time than when setting a polynomial of degree two or greater orwhen setting a linear function using standard deviation, therebyfacilitating computation of the estimated arrival date/time.

In the first embodiment, the estimated arrival date/time is set to themiddle date/time of the time span between the CTG-empty date/time andthe out-of-ink date/time. Therefore, even if the new cartridge 200reaches the user earlier or later than expected, the new cartridge 200can reach the user while ink no longer remains in the old cartridge 200but remains in the ink tank 160.

In the first embodiment, an order date/time is set each time newmanagement information (total residual percentage) is acquired, therebyimproving the precision of the set order date/time. Thus, the embodimentimproves the probability that the new cartridge 200 will be delivered tothe user while the old cartridge 200 is depleted of ink but the ink tank160 still holds ink.

In the first embodiment, the printer 10 transmits total residualpercentages no greater than 100% to the information collection server40. Accordingly, the information collection server 40 can treat residualpercentages inputted from printers that do not possess ink tanks 160 thesame as total residual percentages inputted from printers 10 that haveink tanks 160. Thus, a different information collection server need notbe used for each type of printer. In other words, a single informationcollection server 40 can order cartridges for printers that possess noink tanks 160 and can order cartridges 200 for printers 10 that possessink tanks 160.

In the first embodiment, the linear function is set on the basis ofrecords whose total residual percentage is less than 100%. Accordingly,the first embodiment can suppress a drop in precision for estimating theout-of-ink date/time and CTG-empty date/time.

When the C_Empty flag included in the management information is set to“ON” in the first embodiment, a new cartridge 200 is ordered withoutsetting an order date/time. Therefore, the first embodiment can increasethe probability that the new cartridge 200 will reach the user while theink tank 160 still contains ink.

In the first embodiment, the controller 45 determines whether theprinter 10 is a printer with tanks, i.e., whether the printer 10 isprovided with ink tanks 160. The controller 45 executes the orderdate/time setting process illustrated in FIG. 10 when determining thatthe printer 10 is a printer with tanks. Hence, the first embodimentenables the information collection server 40 to order cartridges forprinters without ink tanks 160 and to order cartridges 200 for printers10 with ink tanks 160.

Second Embodiment

The first embodiment describes a case of setting an estimated arrivaldate/time to the middle date/time of a time span between the CTG-emptydate/time at which the cartridge 200 is expected to run out of ink andthe out-of-ink date/time at which the corresponding ink tank 160 isexpected to run out of ink, as illustrated in FIG. 12. By setting theestimated arrival date/time in this way, the cartridge 200 will reachthe user a sufficient amount of time before the out-of-ink date/time atwhich the ink tank 160 is expected to run out of ink. In the secondembodiment, the controller 45 determines whether the number ofcartridges 200 that can be ordered simultaneously would increase if theestimated arrival date/time were delayed. If the controller 45determines that the number of cartridges 200 that can be orderedsimultaneously would increase, the controller 45 delays the orderdate/time so that more cartridges 200 can be ordered together. Thisprocess will be described next with reference to FIG. 11B and FIGS. 16Athrough 19. Note that the configuration of the ordering system 5 and allprocesses other than those described below are identical to theconfiguration and processes described in the first embodiment.

After executing steps S118 and S119 in the plural order setting processof FIG. 11B described above, the controller 45 executes an orderdate/time modification process in step S120 depicted with dashed lines.The order date/time modification process of S120 is an example of the(j) modifying of the present disclosure.

FIG. 16A illustrates steps in the order date/time modification process.In S121 at the beginning of the process, the controller 45 determineswhether the simultaneous order flag is set to “OFF” for any of thesecond cartridges 200 b having the same destination information as thefirst cartridge 200 a. In other words, the controller 45 determineswhether the simultaneous order flag is set to “OFF” in any of recordsfor the second cartridges 200 b stored in the cartridge management list.If the controller 45 determines that the second cartridges 200 b do notinclude a second cartridge 200 b whose simultaneous order flag is set to“OFF” (S121: NO), the controller 45 ends the order date/timemodification process. Hence, the controller 45 ends the order date/timemodification process without modifying the order date/time for the firstcartridge 200 a when there are no second cartridges 200 b whosesimultaneous order flag is set to “OFF”.

However, if the controller 45 determines that there are secondcartridges 200 b whose simultaneous order flag is set to “OFF” (S121:YES), the controller 45 executes the process beginning from S122 foreach of the second cartridges 200 b whose simultaneous order flag is setto “OFF”.

In S122 the controller 45 first acquires the out-of-ink date/time forthe first cartridge 200 a. The controller 45 may acquire this date/timeby acquiring the linear function from the cartridge management list andcalculating the out-of-ink date/time according to the linear function,for example. Alternatively, the out-of-ink date/time set in S105 may bestored in the cartridge management list as an item, and the controller45 may acquire this out-of-ink date/time from the cartridge managementlist.

In S123 the controller 45 calculates a date/time earlier than theout-of-ink date/time by a first safety period of time, and sets anestimated arrival date/time after modification to the calculateddate/time, as illustrated in FIG. 17. The controller 45 stores thisestimated arrival date/time after modification in the cartridgemanagement list stored in the memory 42. More specifically, thecontroller 45 updates the item “estimated arrival date/time”corresponding to the first cartridge 200 a in the cartridge managementlist with the estimated arrival date/time after modification. The firstsafety period of time is stored in the memory 42 in advance and is themaximum amount of delay anticipated for delivery of the cartridges 200.In other words, the new cartridges 200 will reach the user by theout-of-ink date/time at which the ink tanks 160 run out of ink, even ifdelivery of the cartridges 200 is delayed by the maximum amount. Thefirst safety period of time is an example of the second period of timeof the present disclosure.

In S124 of FIG. 16A, the controller 45 calculates the total residualpercentage, i.e., the estimated residual percentage of the secondcartridge 200 b at the estimated arrival date/time after modification,for each second cartridge 200 b. Specifically, the controller 45 usesthe linear function for the second cartridge 200 b to calculate theestimated residual percentage of the second cartridge 200 b at theestimated arrival date/time after modification, as illustrated in FIG.17.

In S125 of FIG. 16A, the controller 45 determines whether the estimatedresidual percentage calculated in S124 is less than the CTG-emptyresidual percentage. In other words, the controller 45 determines inS125 whether all ink in the second cartridge 200 b will have been usedup by the estimated arrival date/time after modification, for eachsecond cartridge 200 b. FIG. 17 illustrates a case in which theestimated residual percentage will be less than the CTG-empty residualpercentage at the estimated arrival date/time after modification. FIG.18 illustrates a case in which the estimated residual percentage willnot be less than the CTG-empty residual percentage at the estimatedarrival date/time after modification.

If the controller 45 determines that the estimated residual percentagewill not be less than the CTG-empty residual percentage (S125: NO), thecontroller 45 ends the order date/time modification process. In otherwords, the controller 45 ends the order date/time modification processwithout modifying the order date/time for the first cartridge 200 a whenthe ink accommodated in the second cartridge 200 b is not expected to bedepleted by the estimated arrival date/time after modification.

However, if the controller 45 determines that the estimated residualpercentage will be less than the cartridge-empty residual percentage(S125: YES), in S126 the controller 45 sets the simultaneous order flagto “ON” in the cartridge management list. That is, this second cartridge200 b is marked as a cartridge 200 to be ordered simultaneously with thefirst cartridge 200 a.

In S127 the controller 45 sets an order date/time after modificationbased on the estimated arrival date/time after modification.Specifically, the controller 45 sets the order date/time aftermodification to a date/time earlier than the estimated arrival date/timeby the delivery lead time (three days, for example), as illustrated inFIG. 17. Here, the order date/time after modification is a date/timeearlier than the out-of-ink date/time for the first cartridge 200 a by aperiod of time equivalent to the sum of the first safety period of timeand the delivery lead time.

In S128 the controller 45 stores the order date/time after modificationset in S127 of FIG. 16A in the cartridge management list as the orderdate/time for the first cartridge 200 a.

In S129 the controller 45 executes an order date/time re-modificationprocess. As illustrated in FIG. 19, the out-of-ink date/time for thesecond cartridge 200 b in some cases may be earlier than the out-of-inkdate/time for the first cartridge 200 a owing to the slope of the linearfunction for the second cartridge 200 b and the like. Consequently, ifthe order date/time is set on the basis of the out-of-ink date/time forthe first cartridge 200 a, the cartridges 200 may not reach the userbefore the corresponding ink tanks 160 run out of ink if delivery of thecartridges 200 is delayed. The order date/time re-modification processof S129 is performed to re-modify the order date/time so that thecartridges 200 reach the user before the ink tanks 160 run out of ink.This process will be described in greater detail with reference to FIG.16B. The order date/time re-modification process is an example of the(k) estimating, (l) determining, and (m) modifying of the presentdisclosure.

As with the first cartridge 200 a in FIG. 16A, in S131 at the beginningof the order date/time re-modification process, the controller 45acquires the out-of-ink date/time for each second cartridge 200 b. InS132 the controller 45 determines whether the out-of-ink date/time forthe second cartridge 200 b is earlier than the out-of-ink date/time forthe first cartridge 200 a, for each second cartridge 200 b. If thecontroller 45 determines that the out-of-ink date/time for the secondcartridge 200 b is not earlier than the out-of-ink date/time for thefirst cartridge 200 a (S132: NO), the controller 45 ends the orderdate/time re-modification process. In other words, the controller 45does not modify the order date/time when the out-of-ink date/time forthe second cartridge 200 b comes after the out-of-ink date/time for thefirst cartridge 200 a.

However, if the controller 45 determines that the out-of-ink date/timefor the second cartridge 200 b is earlier than the out-of-ink date/timefor the first cartridge 200 a (S132: YES), in S133 the controller 45sets an order date/time after re-modification. That is, the controller45 sets the order date/time after re-modification to a date/time earlierthan the out-of-ink date/time for the second cartridge 200 b by a periodof time equivalent to the sum of the delivery lead time and the firstsafety period of time, as illustrated in FIG. 19. When the cartridges200 are ordered on the order date/time after re-modification set asdescribed above, the cartridges 200 will reach the user before not onlythe ink tank 160 corresponding to the first cartridge 200 a but also theink tanks 160 corresponding to the second cartridges 200 b becomedepleted of ink, even if delivery of the cartridges 200 is delayed bythe maximum amount.

Note that, if the out-of-ink dates/times for some second cartridges 200b are earlier than the out-of-ink date/time for the first cartridge 200a (S132: YES), in S133 the controller 45 sets an order date/time afterre-modification based on the earliest out-of-ink date/time among theout-of-ink dates/times for the second cartridges 200 b earlier than theout-of-ink date/time for the first cartridge 200 a.

In S134 the controller 45 stores the order date/time afterre-modification set in S133 in the cartridge management list under item“order date/time” in the record for the first cartridge 200 a, andsubsequently ends the order date/time re-modification process.

As in the first embodiment described above, the controller 45 executesthe ordering process illustrated in FIG. 10 in which the controller 45executes the order date/time setting process of S107 each timemanagement information is acquired and transmits an order command everyday at a fixed time. It is conceivable that when the ordering process ofFIG. 10 is re-executed, the current date/time may be past the orderdate/time set in the order date/time setting process of S107 of there-executed ordering process. In other words, delaying the orderdate/time by executing the order date/time modification process in S120of FIG. 11B (including the order date/time re-modification process) inthe previously executed ordering process of FIG. 10 may result in thecurrent date/time being past the order date/time before modificationwhich is newly set in the ordering process re-executed when newmanagement information is acquired.

In this case, the controller 45 modifies, in the re-executed orderingprocess, the order date/time according to the steps in the flowchartsdescribed above if it is determined in the order date/modificationprocess of S120 that the first cartridge 200 a and any one or more ofthe second cartridges 200 b can be ordered together by modifying (i.e.,delaying) the order date/time (S125: YES in FIG. 16A). However, if thecontroller 45 determines in the order date/time modification process ofS120 that the first cartridge 200 a and the second cartridges 200 bcannot be ordered together even though modifying (delaying) the orderdate/time (S125: NO), the controller 45 transmits an order commandimmediately without modifying the order date/time (S97: YES, S98 a: YES,S98 b: NO, S99 a in FIG. 10).

Note that the controller 45 may also be configured to set a flag (notillustrated) stored in the memory 42 for each cartridge 200 to “ON” whenthe order date/time modification process and order date/timere-modification process are executed for this cartridge 200. If thecontroller 45 acquires new management information for the cartridge 200while this flag is set to “ON”, the controller 45 determines whether thecurrent date/time has reached the order date/time for the cartridge 200(S97) and transmits an order command for the cartridge 200 (S99 a, S99b) without executing the order date/time setting process of S95 a, theorder date/time modification process, or the order date/timere-modification process. The controller 45 resets this flag for thecartridge 200 to “OFF” after transmitting the order command for thecartridge 200. In other words, after the order date/time modificationprocess and order date/time re-modification process have been executedonce for a cartridge 200, the controller 45 does not modify the orderdate/time again for the cartridge 200 until an order command for thecartridge 200 has been transmitted.

<Effects of the Second Embodiment>

In the second embodiment, the information collection server 40 can ordera larger number of cartridges 200 at the same time than in the firstembodiment by delaying the order date/time.

In the second embodiment, the order date/time after modification is setto a date/time earlier than the out-of-ink date/time at which the inktank 160 corresponding to the first cartridge 200 a is expected to runout of ink by a period of time equivalent to the sum of the deliverylead time and the first safety period. Hence, the new cartridges 200will reach the user before the ink tank 160 becomes depleted of ink,even if delivery of the new cartridges 200 is delayed the maximumamount.

In the second embodiment, the order date/time is not modified if thenumber of cartridges 200 that can be ordered simultaneously will notincrease by delaying the order date/time. Accordingly, the newcartridges 200 will reach the user earlier than if the order date/timewere modified in this case. Hence, the length of time between the momentthat the cartridges 200 arrive and the moment that the corresponding inktanks 160 run out of ink is longer than when the order date/time ismodified, enabling the user to replace the cartridges 200 with greatermargin.

In the second embodiment, when the out-of-ink date/time for the secondcartridge 200 b is earlier than the out-of-ink date/time for the firstcartridge 200 a, the information collection server 40 re-modifies theorder date/time on the basis of the earlier out-of-ink date/time of thesecond cartridge 200 b. This ensures that the new cartridges 200 willmore reliably reach the user before the corresponding ink tanks 160 runout of ink.

<First Modification>

In the example of the first embodiment, the estimated arrival date/timeis set to the middle date/time of a time span between the CTG-emptydate/time and the out-of-ink date/time. In this modification, anotherexample for setting the estimated arrival date/time will be describedwith reference to FIG. 20A.

In the first modification, the controller 45 of the informationcollection server 40 sets a reference percentage based on the CTG-emptyresidual percentage acquired in S101 of FIG. 11A. The referencepercentage is used as a reference for determinations. For example, thecontroller 45 sets the reference percentage to half the CTG-emptyresidual percentage. The controller 45 then determines as the estimatedarrival date/time the date/time at which the total residual percentagebecomes the reference percentage according to the linear function set inS104 of FIG. 11A. Thereafter, as described in the embodiments, thecontroller 45 stores the estimated arrival date/time in the cartridgemanagement list of FIG. 15 under item “estimated arrival date/time”,sets the order date/time to a date/time earlier than the estimatedarrival date/time by the delivery lead time, and stores this orderdate/time in the cartridge management list under item “order date/time”.Note that the reference percentage may be set to a value smaller thanthe CTG-empty residual percentage by a prescribed value stored in thememory 42. The estimated arrival date/time is an example of the firsttiming of the present disclosure. The order date/time is an example ofthe reference timing of the present disclosure.

<Effects of the First Modification>

Despite setting the estimated arrival date/time on the basis of theCTG-empty residual percentage, the first modification can set theestimated arrival date/time to a date/time at which it is highlyprobable that the cartridge 200 will be out of ink while the ink tank160 still contains ink. In other words, a new cartridge 200 can beordered so that the cartridge 200 will no longer contain ink while theink tank 160 will still have residual ink at the date/time that the newcartridge 200 arrives.

<Second Modification>

The first embodiment describes an example in which the CTG-emptydate/time and the out-of-ink date/time are estimated and the estimatedarrival date/time is set using the estimated CTG-empty date/time andout-of-ink date/time. In this modification, an example in which theestimated arrival date/time is set without estimating an out-of-inkdate/time will be described with reference to FIG. 20B.

The controller 45 of the information collection server 40 estimates theCTG-empty date/time according to the linear function set in S104 of FIG.11A. The CTG-empty date/time is the date/time at which the totalresidual percentage becomes the CTG-empty residual percentage. Next, thecontroller 45 sets the estimated arrival date/time to a date/time laterthan the CTG-empty date/time by a second safety period of time (twodays, for example). The second safety period of time is stored in thememory 42 in advance. The second safety period of time is set to alength of time equivalent to the earliest possible period of time thatthe new cartridge 200 could be delivered after ordering, assuming anearlier date/time than the estimated arrival date/time.

Subsequently, as in the first embodiment described above, the controller45 stores the estimated arrival date/time in the cartridge managementlist illustrated in FIG. 15 under item “estimated arrival date/time”,sets the order date/time to a date/time earlier than the estimatedarrival date/time by the delivery lead time, and stores this date/timein the cartridge management list under item “order date/time”.

<Effects of the Second Modification>

Since the second safety period of time is set to a length of timeequivalent to the earliest possible delivery time should the newcartridge 200 be delivered earlier than the estimated arrival date/timeand the estimated arrival date/time is set to the date/time later thanthe CTG-empty date/time by this second safety period of time, the newcartridge 200 will at least reach the user after all ink in thecartridge 200 has been consumed, despite the cartridge 200 arrivingearly. Therefore, the second modification reduces the chance that inkwill be wasted if ink still remains in the old cartridge 200 when theuser replaces the old cartridge 200 with the new cartridge 200.

<Third Modification>

The first embodiment describes an example in which the informationcollection server 40 sets an order date/time and transmits an ordercommand to the shipping server 50 when the current date/time reaches theorder date/time. The third modification describes an example in whichthe information collection server 40 transmits an order command to theshipping server 50 when the total residual percentage reaches an orderresidual percentage (see FIG. 21B).

In this modification, the information collection server 40 executes anorder condition setting process illustrated in FIG. 21A in place of theorder date/time setting process (in S95 a of FIG. 10). Note that allsteps other than those described below are identical to those describedin the embodiments for the order date/time setting process illustratedin FIG. 11A and are designated with the same step numbers used in theembodiments to avoid duplicating description.

As in the order date/time setting process described in the embodiments,the controller 45 of the information collection server 40 begins theorder condition setting process by executing steps S101 through S104. InS141 the controller 45 calculates an order residual percentage bymultiplying the absolute value of the slope of the linear function setin S104 by a delivery lead time and adds the CTG-empty residualpercentage acquired in S102 to this product. The delivery lead time isstored in the memory 42 in advance. In S142 the controller 45 stores theorder residual percentage calculated in S141 in the cartridge managementlist stored in the memory 42, and subsequently ends the order conditionsetting process. Note that the cartridge management list is providedwith item “order residual percentage” in place of item “order date/time”in this modification.

After executing the order condition setting process in place of theorder date/time setting process of S95 a illustrated in FIG. 10, thecontroller 45 executes a process in place of step S97 to determinewhether the total residual percentage included in the managementinformation is greater than or equal to the order residual percentagestored in the cartridge management list.

The controller 45 ends the ordering process of FIG. 10 when determiningthat the total residual percentage in the management information isgreater than or equal to the order residual percentage. However, if thecontroller 45 determines that the total residual percentage is less thanthe order residual percentage, the controller 45 executes the sameprocess in S98 a through S100 described in the embodiments, andsubsequently ends the ordering process.

<Effects of the Third Modification>

In the third modification, the information collection server 40 cantransmit an order command to the shipping server 50 without identifyingan order date/time.

<Other Variations>

The first embodiment describes an example in which the printer 10transmits management information to the information collection server 40when the transmission time arrives. However, the printer 10 may transmitmanagement information to the information collection server 40 atprescribed intervals, such as every twenty-four hours or everyforty-eight hours. Alternatively, the printer 10 may transmit managementinformation to the information collection server 40 every time aprinting operation is performed or every time ink is discharged from therecording head 21, including during maintenance. The printer 10 may alsotransmit management information to the information collection server 40when the information collection server 40 transmits request informationto the printer 10 requesting transmission of the management information.In these variations, the controller 130 of the printer 10 executes aprocess in place of S61 in the management information transmissionprocess illustrated in FIG. 9A to determine whether a prescribed timeinterval (twenty-four hours or forty-eight hours) stored in the EEPROM51 has elapsed, or to determine whether request information has beenreceived from the information collection server 40.

The first embodiment describes an example in which the informationcollection server 40 collects information from the printer 10 andtransmits order commands. However, the controller 130 of the printer 10may execute the processes performed by the controller 45 of theinformation collection server 40 in the embodiments. In other words, thecontroller 130 of the printer 10 may set the linear function, estimatedarrival date/time, and order date/time based on the total residualpercentages, cartridge residual percentages, and tank residualpercentages and transmits the order commands. In such cases, the printer10 is an example of the control device of the present disclosure; thememory on the IC chip 34, the ROM 37, the EEPROM 51, and the RAM 52 arean example of the memory of the present disclosure. The controller 130is an example of the controller of the present disclosure.

The first embodiment presents an example for setting a linear functionbased on the initial record at which a residual percentage is less than100% and the most recent record. However, the linear function may be seton the basis of three or more records instead, and the linear functionmay be set on the basis of the standard deviation found for the three ormore records.

The first embodiment describes a case in which the informationcollection server 40 sets the order date/time each time managementinformation is received, and updates the item “order date/time” in thecartridge management list at this time. However, the controller 45 ofthe information collection server 40 may be configured to set the orderdate/time only once and not to reset this order date/time until an ordercommand has been transmitted.

The first embodiment describes a case in which the printer 10 transmitsa total residual percentage to the information collection server 40.However, the printer 10 may instead transmit only a total residualquantity, cartridge residual quantity, or tank residual quantity to theinformation collection server 40.

In the first embodiment, the printer 10 adjusts a total residualpercentage to 100% when the total residual percentage exceeds 100% sothat the total residual percentage no greater than 100% is transmittedto the information collection server 40. However, the printer 10 maytransmit a total residual percentage exceeding 100% to the informationcollection server 40.

In the first embodiment, the management information includes a value ofa C_Empty flag, and the information collection server 40 transmits anorder command to the shipping server 50 without determining whether theorder date/time has arrived when the value of the C_Empty flag is set to“ON”. However, the management information need not include a value of aC_Empty flag, and the information collection server 40 may determinewhether to transmit an order command based simply on whether the currenttime has reached the order date/time.

In the first embodiment, ink is described as an example of the printingagent. However, the printing agent may be toner and is not limited toink.

In the first embodiment, ink flows from the cartridges 200 to thecorresponding ink tanks 160 owing to a hydraulic head differential.However, the ink may be configured to flow from the cartridges 200 tothe ink tanks 160 by gravity or by using a drive source, such as a pump.When a drive source is used, the ink tanks 160 may be disposed on therecording head 21, for example.

In the first embodiment, the printer 10 and information collectionserver 40 are connected to each other through a communication circuit 61and a communication circuit 62, such as the Internet. However, theprinter 10 and information collection server 40 may be connected via aLAN. In this case, the identification information for the printer 10 maybe an IP address.

The first embodiment describes a case in which a plurality of printers10 is connected to the communication circuit 61. However, the orderingsystem of the present disclosure may include one or a plurality of colorprinters 10, each of which accommodates a plurality of cartridges 200,connected to the communication circuit 61 or may include a plurality ofmonochromatic printers 10, each of which accommodates only a blackcartridge 200, connected to the communication circuit 61.

What is claimed is:
 1. A control device comprising a controllerconfigured to perform: (a) acquiring a first index value from a firstrecording device at a first acquisition timing, the first recordingdevice including: a first mounting portion in which a first cartridgeaccommodating a printing agent is mounted; a first tank configured toaccommodate the printing agent supplied from the first cartridge; and afirst recording portion configured to record an image on a sheet withthe printing agent supplied from the first tank, the first index valuebeing representative of a residual quantity of the printing agentremaining in the first cartridge and the first tank at the firstacquisition timing; (b) storing the first index value in associationwith first acquisition timing information about the first acquisitiontiming in a memory; (c) acquiring a second index value from a secondrecording device at a second acquisition timing, the second recordingdevice including: a second mounting portion in which a second cartridgeaccommodating a printing agent is mounted; a second tank configured toaccommodate the printing agent supplied from the second cartridge; and asecond recording portion configured to record an image on a sheet withthe printing agent supplied from the second tank, the second index valuebeing representative of a residual quantity of the printing agentremaining in the second cartridge and the second tank at the secondacquisition timing; (d) storing the second index value in associationwith second acquisition timing information about the second acquisitiontiming in the memory; (e) setting, after performing the (a) acquiringand the (b) storing a plurality of number of times and storing aplurality of first index values in the memory in association with aplurality of sets of first acquisition timing information, an ordercondition using the plurality of sets of first acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of first index values stored in thememory, the plurality of first index values including a latest firstindex value acquired at a latest first acquisition timing, the ordercondition requiring that one of the latest first index value and acurrent timing reach corresponding one of a reference index value and areference timing, the order condition being set so that a thirdcartridge ordered for replacement of the first cartridge is delivered toa predetermined destination at a first timing by assuming that a timeinterval between the reference timing and the first timing is a firstperiod of time, the first timing being a timing at which the firstcartridge is expected to be out of the printing agent while the firsttank is expected to still accommodate the printing agent, the firstperiod of time being an expected period of time from when the thirdcartridge is ordered until the third cartridge is delivered to thepredetermined destination; (f) determining, after performing the (c)acquiring and the (d) storing a plurality of number of times and storinga plurality of second index values in the memory in association with aplurality of sets of second acquisition timing information, whether thesecond recording device is expected to be a prescribed state at thefirst timing using the plurality of sets of second acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of second index values stored in thememory, the prescribed state indicating that the second cartridge is outof the printing agent while the second tank still accommodates theprinting agent; and (g) transmitting, in response to determining thatthe second recording device is expected to be the prescribed state atthe first timing, an order command to a relevant device after the ordercondition is satisfied, the order command instructing to order the thirdcartridge and a fourth cartridge, the fourth cartridge being ordered forreplacement of the second cartridge and being delivered to thepredetermined destination.
 2. The control device according to claim 1,wherein the order condition requires that the current timing reach thereference timing.
 3. The control device according to claim 2, whereinthe (e) setting comprises: (e1) estimating the first timing using theplurality of sets of first acquisition timing information and theplurality of first index values stored in the memory; and (e2) settingthe reference timing based on the estimated first timing and the firstperiod of time, and wherein the (g) transmitting transmits the ordercommand after the current timing reaches the reference timing.
 4. Thecontrol device according to claim 3, wherein the controller isconfigured to further perform: (h) estimating, in response todetermining that the second recording device is not expected to be theprescribed state at the first timing, a second timing using theplurality of sets of first acquisition timing information and theplurality of first index values stored in the memory, the second timingbeing a timing at which both the first cartridge and the first tank areexpected to be out of the printing agent; (i) determining whether thesecond recording device is expected to be the prescribed state at athird timing using the plurality of sets of second acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of second index values, the third timingbeing earlier than the second timing by a second period of time; and (j)modifying, in response to determining that the second recording deviceis expected to be the prescribed state at the third timing, thereference timing, the modified reference timing being earlier than thesecond timing by a third period of time, the third period of time beingequivalent to a sum of the first period of time and the second period oftime.
 5. The control device according to claim 4, the controller isconfigured to further perform: (k) estimating, in response todetermining that the second recording device is expected to be theprescribed state at the third timing, a fourth timing using theplurality of sets of second acquisition timing information and theplurality of second index values stored in the memory, the fourth timingbeing a timing at which both the second cartridge and the second tankare expected to be out of the printing agent; (l) determining whetherthe fourth timing is earlier than the second timing; and (m) modifying,in response to determining that the fourth timing is earlier than thesecond timing, the reference timing, the modified reference timing beingearlier than the fourth timing by the third period of time.
 6. Thecontrol device according to claim 4, wherein the (g) transmittingtransmits the order command after the current timing reaches themodified reference timing irrespective of whether the (a) acquiringacquires another first index value.
 7. The control device according toclaim 4, wherein the (e1) estimating estimates another first timing, the(e2) setting sets another reference timing based on the another firsttiming, and the (f) determining determines whether the second recordingdevice is expected to be the prescribed state at the another firsttiming each time the (a) acquiring and the (b) storing are performed,and wherein the (g) transmitting is performed after the current timingreaches the another reference timing in a case where the (f) determiningdetermines that the second recording device is expected to be theprescribed state at the another first timing.
 8. The control deviceaccording to claim 7, wherein the (h) estimating estimates anothersecond timing and the (i) determining determines whether the secondrecording device is expected to be the prescribed state at another thirdtiming in a case where the (f) determining determines that the secondrecording device is not expected to be the prescribed state at theanother first timing, the another third timing being earlier than theanother second timing by the second period of time, wherein the (j)modifying modifies the another reference timing in response todetermining that the second recording device is expected to be theprescribes state at the another third timing, and wherein the (g)transmitting is performed after the current timing reaches the modifiedanother reference timing.
 9. The control device according to claim 3,wherein the (c1) estimating comprises: (c11) setting a first function ofa timing and a first index value using the plurality of sets of firstacquisition timing information and the plurality of first index valuesstored in the memory; (c12) estimating a second timing and a thirdtiming according to the first function, the first cartridge beingexpected to run out of the printing agent at the second timing, thefirst tank being expected to run out of the printing agent at the thirdtiming; and (c13) setting the first timing to a timing between thesecond timing and the third timing, and wherein the (f) determiningcomprises: (f1) setting a second function of a timing and a second indexvalue using the plurality of sets of second acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of second index values stored in thememory; (f2) estimating the second index value at the first timingaccording to the second function; and (f3) determining whether thesecond recording device is expected to be the prescribed state using theestimated second index value.
 10. The control device according to claim1, wherein the order condition requires that the latest first indexvalue reach the reference index value, the (e) setting sets thereference index value, and the (d) transmitting transmits the ordercommand after the latest first index value reaches the reference indexvalue.
 11. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the firstindex value is a first total residual percentage indicating a percentageof a first total residual quantity to a first initial fill quantity, thefirst total residual quantity indicating a sum of a residual quantity ofthe printing agent remaining in the first cartridge and a residualquantity of the printing agent remaining in the first tank, the firstinitial fill quantity indicating an initial residual quantity of theprinting agent accommodated in the first cartridge, and wherein thesecond index value is a second total residual percentage indicating apercentage of a second total residual quantity to a second initial fillquantity, the second total residual quantity indicating a sum of aresidual quantity of the printing agent remaining in the secondcartridge and a residual quantity of the printing agent remaining in thesecond tank, the second initial fill quantity indicating an initialresidual quantity of the printing agent accommodated in the secondcartridge.
 12. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the (a)acquiring acquires the first index value from a printing apparatusincluding the first recording device and the second recording device,and the (c) acquiring acquires the second index value from the printingapparatus.
 13. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the (a)acquiring acquires the first index value from a first printing apparatusincluding the first recording device and the (c) acquiring acquires thesecond index value from a second printing apparatus including the secondrecording device, the first printing apparatus and the second printingapparatus being different from each other.
 14. The control deviceaccording to claim 13, wherein a first destination is stored in thememory in association with identification information of the firstprinting apparatus and a second destination is stored in the memory inassociation with identification information of the second printingapparatus, the third cartridge being delivered to the first destination,the fourth cartridge being delivered to the second destination, whereinthe controller is configured to further perform (n) determining whetherthe second destination is identical to the first destination, andwherein the (f) determining is performed in response to determining thatthe second destination is identical to the first destination.
 15. Thecontrol device according to claim 1, wherein the printing agent is anink, wherein the first cartridge includes a first cartridge chamberconfigured to accommodate the ink therein, the first tank includes afirst tank chamber configured to accommodate the ink supplied from thefirst cartridge therein, each of the first cartridge chamber and thefirst tank chamber is communicable with an atmosphere, and at least partof the first tank chamber is positioned lower than the first cartridgechamber of the first cartridge mounted in the first mounting portion,and wherein the second cartridge includes a second cartridge chamberconfigured to accommodate the ink therein, the second tank includes asecond tank chamber configured to accommodate the ink supplied from thesecond cartridge therein, each of the second cartridge chamber and thesecond tank chamber is communicable with an atmosphere, and at leastpart of the second tank chamber is positioned lower than the secondcartridge chamber of the second cartridge mounted in the second mountingportion.
 16. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing aset of program instructions installed on and executed by a computer, theset of program instructions comprising: (a) acquiring a first indexvalue from a first recording device at a first acquisition timing, thefirst recording device including: a first mounting portion in which afirst cartridge accommodating a printing agent is mounted; a first tankconfigured to accommodate the printing agent supplied from the firstcartridge; and a first recording portion configured to record an imageon a sheet with the printing agent supplied from the first tank, thefirst index value being representative of a residual quantity of theprinting agent remaining in the first cartridge and the first tank atthe first acquisition timing; (b) storing the first index value inassociation with first acquisition timing information about the firstacquisition timing in a memory; (c) acquiring a second index value froma second recording device at a second acquisition timing, the secondrecording device including: a second mounting portion in which a secondcartridge accommodating a printing agent is mounted; a second tankconfigured to accommodate the printing agent supplied from the secondcartridge; and a second recording portion configured to record an imageon a sheet with the printing agent supplied from the second tank, thesecond index value being representative of a residual quantity of theprinting agent remaining in the second cartridge and the second tank atthe second acquisition timing; (d) storing the second index value inassociation with second acquisition timing information about the secondacquisition timing in the memory; (e) setting, after performing the (a)acquiring and the (b) storing a plurality of number of times and storinga plurality of first index values in the memory in association with aplurality of sets of first acquisition timing information, an ordercondition using the plurality of sets of first acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of first index values stored in thememory, the plurality of first index values including a latest firstindex value acquired at a latest first acquisition timing, the ordercondition requiring that one of the latest first index value and acurrent timing reach corresponding one of a reference index value and areference timing, the order condition being set so that a thirdcartridge ordered for replacement of the first cartridge is delivered toa predetermined destination at a first timing by assuming that a timeinterval between the reference timing and the first timing is a firstperiod of time, the first timing being a timing at which the firstcartridge is expected to be out of the printing agent while the firsttank is expected to still accommodate the printing agent, the firstperiod of time being an expected period of time from when the thirdcartridge is ordered until the third cartridge is delivered to thepredetermined destination; (f) determining, after performing theacquiring and the (d) storing a plurality of number of times and storinga plurality of second index values in the memory in association with aplurality of sets of second acquisition timing information, whether thesecond recording device is expected to be a prescribed state at thefirst timing using the plurality of sets of second acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of second index values stored in thememory, the prescribed state indicating that the second cartridge is outof the printing agent while the second tank still accommodates theprinting agent; and (g) transmitting, in response to determining thatthe second recording device is expected to be the prescribed state atthe first timing, an order command to a relevant device after the ordercondition is satisfied, the order command instructing to order the thirdcartridge and a fourth cartridge, the fourth cartridge being ordered forreplacement of the second cartridge and being delivered to thepredetermined destination.
 17. A method executed by a computer, themethod comprising: (a) acquiring a first index value from a firstrecording device at a first acquisition timing, the first recordingdevice including: a first mounting portion in which a first cartridgeaccommodating a printing agent is mounted; a first tank configured toaccommodate the printing agent supplied from the first cartridge; and afirst recording portion configured to record an image on a sheet withthe printing agent supplied from the first tank, the first index valuebeing representative of a residual quantity of the printing agentremaining in the first cartridge and the first tank at the firstacquisition timing; (b) storing the first index value in associationwith first acquisition timing information about the first acquisitiontiming in a memory; (c) acquiring a second index value from a secondrecording device at a second acquisition timing, the second recordingdevice including: a second mounting portion in which a second cartridgeaccommodating a printing agent is mounted; a second tank configured toaccommodate the printing agent supplied from the second cartridge; and asecond recording portion configured to record an image on a sheet withthe printing agent supplied from the second tank, the second index valuebeing representative of a residual quantity of the printing agentremaining in the second cartridge and the second tank at the secondacquisition timing; (d) storing the second index value in associationwith second acquisition timing information about the second acquisitiontiming in the memory; (e) setting, after performing the (a) acquiringand the (b) storing a plurality of number of times and storing aplurality of first index values in the memory in association with aplurality of sets of first acquisition timing information, an ordercondition using the plurality of sets of first acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of first index values stored in thememory, the plurality of first index values including a latest firstindex value acquired at a latest first acquisition timing, the ordercondition requiring that one of the latest first index value and acurrent timing reach corresponding one of a reference index value and areference timing, the order condition being set so that a thirdcartridge ordered for replacement of the first cartridge is delivered toa predetermined destination at a first timing by assuming that a timeinterval between the reference timing and the first timing is a firstperiod of time, the first timing being a timing at which the firstcartridge is expected to be out of the printing agent while the firsttank is expected to still accommodate the printing agent, the firstperiod of time being an expected period of time from when the thirdcartridge is ordered until the third cartridge is delivered to thepredetermined destination; (f) determining, after performing the (c)acquiring and the (d) storing a plurality of number of times and storinga plurality of second index values in the memory in association with aplurality of sets of second acquisition timing information, whether thesecond recording device is expected to be a prescribed state at thefirst timing using the plurality of sets of second acquisition timinginformation and the plurality of second index values stored in thememory, the prescribed state indicating that the second cartridge is outof the printing agent while the second tank still accommodates theprinting agent; and (g) transmitting, in response to determining thatthe second recording device is expected to be the prescribed state atthe first timing, an order command to a relevant device after the ordercondition is satisfied, the order command instructing to order the thirdcartridge and a fourth cartridge, the fourth cartridge being ordered forreplacement of the second cartridge and being delivered to thepredetermined destination.